Now it’s time Brussels showed common sense

‘THE time for bluster and political blame games is fast running out.’

So said the EU Parliament’s unctuous Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt as Boris Johnson sought, patiently and reasonably, to break the interminable impasse.

He’s not wrong. But shouldn’t he direct his self-satisfied remarks to his complacent colleagues in Brussels?

Before travelling to meet Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, the Prime Minister set out his stance in a letter to European Council president Donald Tusk.

Politely, he explained that if the EU wants a deal, it must compromise by ditching the major roadblock – the Irish backstop, which prevents the UK from striking its own trade deals. Mr Johnson argues it is undemocratic. And the pragmatic reality is that it simply will not win support in Parliament. True to form, Brussels responded aggressively to the overtures. In incendiary language, officials effectively accused him of lying – slamming the door in his face.

Mr Johnson must now display supreme patience, and refuse to rise to the bait. He is adamant he wants a pact. Indeed, no one with an iota of common sense wants a turbulent No Deal.

But without the plausible threat to walk away on October 31 – ‘no ifs, no buts’ – the EU will not offer eleventh-hour concessions. Surely its leaders, with a recession looming, would be sensible to compromise?

Yet it is unlikely to move before knowing if Mr Johnson can survive a confidence vote.

Reality dictates Britain must leave in the autumn. As the finishing line appears ever closer, the Tories must hold their nerve.