The deal is done

So, at lunchtime today, DD and M. Barnier held a press conference at which it was announced that an agreement had been made.

Sure, it was full of fancy words, DD smiled, but then an idiot doesn't know when he's been shafted.

Britain will leave the EU, but there will be a transition period of 21 months, which for all purposes, Britain will be considered a member of the EU, but will have no say in new rules and laws, but must accept them.

UK will be able to conduct trade talks with 3rd countries after 29th March next year, but will need the EU approval to implement them.

The Common Fisheries Policy will apply until the end of 2020.

If there is no other solution, then NI will have strict regulatory alignment with the EU. THis could mean a border between N and Britain. The option is for all of UK to abide by the SM and CU.

UK has caved in on EU citizen's rights, which is good as this also protects UK citizen's rights in the EU, which the Government and Brexiteers have abandoned after breaking their pre-referendum promises.

Lots more analysis as to what it means will come out in the next few days, but rest assured that the EU has not given an inch, all movement, as ever, has come from Westminster. This deal could have been signed as it is in June last year, all that time and effort wasted. But at leas DD got his air miles, eh?

What does it all mean?

Who knows, depends on what happened in the next few months. But, and its a big but, each of the EU27, many regional assemblies, the EU Parliament as well as Westminster must ratify this and and the final deal. Without 100% ratification by all sides, the who things collapses, but UK leave the EU on the 29th March 2019. A huge gamble, one which is full of broken promises by the Leave Campaign, Brexiteers and the Government.

At best, Britain will be stuck in an endless EEA agreement, with no say in rules it must obey, least it be thrown out without notice and without recourse. Fucking hell, wasn't worth it, was it?