HOW HOPE BROKE OUT
Boris Johnson
LAUNCHING into a Mount Everest metaphor, the Prime Minister declared: ‘We are not quite at the summit – we are at the Hillary Step.’ He reassured MPs the ‘summit is not far’ but added it is ‘still shrouded in cloud’.
Emmanuel Macron
GIVING cause for optimism, the French President said: ‘We have the hope and willingness to adopt an agreement. What we heard today is positive. I believe a deal is just being finalised, and we are going to be able to dedicate ourselves to that tomorrow.’
Angela Merkel
AND there was encouragement from the German Chancellor, who announced: ‘We are in the final stretch.’
Donald Tusk
EVEN tough-talking EU Council President said the ‘basic foundations’ of an agreement were in place, adding: ‘Theoretically tomorrow we could accept this deal with Great Britain.’
Stephen Barclay
THE Brexit Secretary told MPs: ‘We think there’s a political will on both sides...’
Mark Francois
LEAVING No 10, Brexiteer Mark Francois said: ‘We have made good progress – we’re not quite there yet. I was scowling last night, I’m smiling now.’
Steve Baker
AND the chairman of the hardline European Research Group said: ‘We have made great progress in our discussions with No 10. We know there will be compromises, but we will be looking at this deal in minute detail, with a view to supporting it.’
Philip Hammond
THE ex-chancellor hinted: ‘It’s not going to look very different from the one [Mr Johnson] resigned over. It’s not impossible I would support the deal.’