Macron’s threats

Following the UK’S exit from the EU, Emmanuel Macron saw an opportunity to make France the key player in the bloc. With Germany hamstrung by its history and the departure of Angela Merkel as chancellor, President Macron sought the leadership of the union by proposing greater integration. It is deeply ironic, therefore, that the EU has not supported France’s hard line over fishing rights in the Channel and yet, rather than accept the consensus, Mr Macron is determined to pursue a unilateral course of action.

Other member states declined to back France’s demand for sanctions, agreeing only to “further technical work in accordance with the spirit and the letter of the (withdrawal) agreement”. This has left Mr Macron looking isolated, but with an election next spring he can hardly be seen to back down. Fishing makes up a tiny proportion of the French economy but is an important political issue in northern coastal areas where the Right is strongest. Mr Macron is also eager to scotch a rising tide of Euro-scepticism by seeking to make Brexit as difficult as possible for the British.

His ministers have been making all sorts of threats, including cutting off the electricity interconnector between France and the UK. In the midst of an energy crisis this would be a serious matter. Now French fishermen are threatening to blockade the Channel in the run-up to Christmas which, given the supply chain problems we have witnessed recently, could have a major impact on imports of food and consumer goods.

If Mr Macron is the “good European” he claims to be, he should leave these matters to be sorted out by talks between the European Commission and the UK Government.