Our negotiators must be ready to walk out of talks

SINCE the Brexit talks began the Brussels negotiators have shown little desire to compromise. They are interested only in making threats, issuing ludicrous demands and endlessly criticising their British counterparts.

The biggest sticking point now is their obsession with ensuring that the European Court of Justice continues to have a say in how Britain is run. When the whole point of Brexit is to return sovereignty to this country, a deal that allows European judges to maintain any sort of influence over us would be unacceptable.

A senior minister has told this newspaper that the Eurocrats’ refusal to back down means that there is a “good chance” the Government could walk away from the talks. This will no doubt terrify hysterical Remoaners but commonsense Britons should regard it as a positive sign.

Leaving the EU with no deal would not be a disaster. The only meaningful threat the Eurocrats can make is to start a trade war but this would be in breach of international trade rules and it would be disastrous for European economies.

Furthermore, being willing to walk away is just good tactics. If we come across as desperate for a deal at any cost, we will never win any concessions. Showing the EU we mean business makes a good deal more likely.

Ending the influence of the European Court of Justice has to be a red line for the Government. If the EU refuses to accept this, what else can our negotiators do but walk away?