A great description (HERE) of the rather embarrassing process, from our point of view, that plays out before every EU Council summit or Brexit related deadline. We begin with tough talk and threats, like England football fans squaring up to a weaker opponent. The prime minister sets out her red lines, Brexiteers rattle their sabres and the right wing press heap criticism on the EU negotiators. There follows a long period that looks like a stand off. We visit European capitals trying to drive wedges between the 27 and so weaken their resolve.
As the summit deadline approaches with no sign of flexibility on the EU's part, we make slightly conciliatory noises. Then in the days and hours before the deadline we find our red lines are not quite as red as we thought. A series of rapid climb downs follows and where we don't concede, we fudge. A deal is reached. Brexiteers moan about capitulation, Farage attacks the government for being secret remainers. The prime minister then goes to parliament, puts a positive spin on things as if she got everything she wanted and claims success. Brexiteers meekly accept it. The opposition ridicule her.
When the next round starts, the whole process begins again.
So it was recently, and so it will be right up until the end when it should be clear to everyone that Brexit was a bad idea, badly conceived and badly executed, by bad people.
It is the new Brexit dance. One step forward, two steps back, bang your head against a wall, repeat until you are much further back than where you started.
