A meeting, albeit a teleconference, between Frost and Barnier, both of whom have now recovered from coronavirus took place yesterday and a press release (HERE) later set out the conclusions in the usual diplomatic way. A new schedule was agreed with the next 'meetings' taking place starting 20 April, 11 May and 1 June. Having exchanged texts the two sides now apparently believe they will be sure, in just 75 days time, of striking and implementing a trade deal by the end of the year - in the middle of a global recession.
When Theresa May reached an agreement that included 21 months to conclude and implement a trade deal it was thought very ambitious and probably not doable.
The Guardian's Jennifer Rankin writes that trade talks are set to resume and she adds this little gem:
"During the video call, Frost told Barnier the UK did not intend to seek an extension to the 11-month transition period, which ends on 31 December 2020.
"Yet EU diplomats are increasingly convinced that London will ask for an extension, as the fallout from coronavirus hammers the global economy and consumes political energy across Europe."
The New European quotes someone described as an EU "Mandarin" saying the EU are "baffled by the UK government’s refusal to consider an extension to Brexit talks". The Mandarin claimed the Brexit talks are no longer a priority for the EU while coronavirus remains the focus.
This comes after James Forsyth at The Spectator, a known outlet for Cummings who returned to work this week after isolating himself, says:
"David Frost, the Prime Minister’s chief Brexit negotiator, has held discussions with the First Secretary of State Dominic Raab and other senior ministers in the last few days. As I say in tomorrow’s Spectator, the conclusion of these discussions has been that the UK will not request an extension to the transition period. Interestingly, I understand that no one in these discussions backed asking for an extension."
Don't be fooled. We WILL ask for an extension. This is all bluff and the EU know it.
It has Cummings' DNA all over it.
Just a short post today I'm afraid since I am also busy working on Yorkshire Bylines which launched yesterday after a lot of feverish activity over the last few weeks. We are starting from small beginnings but hope to grow quickly and become better at spreading the truth about Brexit.
