Making sure Britain has the last laugh

AS a classical scholar Boris Johnson will know that the origin of the word “ridiculous” comes from the Latin meaning “laughable”.

Were he to react to the EU’S astonishing demands in something pertaining to the modern vernacular he might have said: “You must be having a laugh.”

Either way the response to the messages from Brussels proves that we have the right man in 10 Downing Street.

The Johnson premiership will be defined by an uncompromising approach focused on what is best for this country.

While Theresa May had many good qualities her negotiating style depended on Britain having a reasonable and respectful partner. In her three years in office the EU proved to be the opposite of that.

Now Mr Johnson is not only calling out the bullying behaviour but standing up to it.

Gone is the nonsense of close alignment to have a bespoke deal.what would have been the point given that’s why we wanted to leave?

Gone is the apologetic approach led by Remainer civil servants putting saying sorry to their EU friends above the interests of the country.

The Prime Minister is right to demand that the EU treats us the same as other partners and allies. If Canada, Japan and South Korea can have tariff-free deals without bowing to EU rules and judgments then so can Britain.

After all, we have higher standards than the EU does on workers’ rights, the environment and much more. Perhaps they should be made to follow our more stringent rules.

If the EU continues on this unreasonable path Britain will walk away and do deals with other countries and economies.then it will be Brussels that is the subject of ridicule and eurocrats such as Michel Barnier and Ursula von der Leyen will be laughing on the other side of their faces.