Reality of brexit

Michel Barnier brings No 10 down to earth by stating that British politicians there have not grasped the reality that being out of the Single Market will not result in frictionless trade.

We see David Davis, Theresa May,the more pro-eu Chancellor and Jeremy Corbyn insisting that they want a transitional deal. The CBI are

demanding that No 10 “negotiates” remaining in the Single Market for as long as it takes until a transitional deal is done!

But the Article 50 time scale is set. The EU determined all final outcomes irrespective of the wishes, demands or sense of “entitlement” claims by Westminster ministers and the Leader of the Opposition.

As the well-known Scots phrase says, “Ye ken noo!”

It must rankle that the UK is being put in its place where before it could press the EU veto mechanism. It had rebates and opt-outs.

But years of girning, moaning and belittling the EU from within have certainly scunnered the EU to the extent that it has in effect lost interest in the UK. It is really saying that you get what you voted for and need to face consequences. No punishment intended. That was the choice the UK, or parts of it, made.

The UK media always used words like Europe and the UK when actually we are part of the European continent. It was a subconscious act of claiming to be superior to these foreign Johnnies across the Channel!

Now the tables have turned. The British state has now been really put in the place of its own choosing – “on the outside”. Whaur’s yer precious 1707 Union noo?

It is going to have messy consequences.

JOHN EDGAR Gilmours Avenue, Blackford