UK has many cards to play when it comes to EU talks

IT IS becoming very evident that the unelected EU bureaucrats in Brussels are very unhappy with Britain’s Brexit vote.

For starters, many just cannot understand why David Cameron gave British voters an opportunity to express an opinion, their view being that such policy matters are for politicians guided by experienced bureaucrats.

These officials, led by JeanClaude Juncker, European Commission President and Donald Tusk, European Council President, are making it very clear that in negotiations with the United Kingdom, they will make life very difficult with the express purpose being to ensure that the British Government and electorate will be worse off on the outside.

From a political point of view, they have to do this, for it would be very unfortunate for the EU if any other member of the 27 remaining nations allowed their electorates to vote for opting out, thus destroying the grand idea of a Federal Europe.

It is very noticeable that since the British Referendum, more federalistic ideas are surfacing such as a centrally controlled Euro military force, an idea which up till now, the British have vetoed.

However, it is the leaders of the remaining nations that have to negotiate with Britain.

After initially muttering dark threats, pragmatism is beginning to surface as elected ministers have to grapple with the fact that being nasty to Britain could be counter-productive, especially where business is concerned.

The UK has many trade cards to play, and I have a feeling that a compromise solution will be hammered out, although this will not be to the liking of the unelected establishment.

Theresa May is right to indicate that there will not be a running commentary on negotiations.

She and her ministers should draw up their proposals such that everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet.

This way, mainland European negotiators will soon realise that attempts to divide will be futile, and hopefully common sense will prevail.

Russell Luckock is chairman of Birmingham pressings firm

AE Harris