Here we go again

The latest round of talks between the UK and EU have ended with no agreement.

Which should surprise no one.

The UK says it expects further movement by the EU without moving itself. The two main sticking points are the Level Playing Field (LPF) and fishing.

Fishing: UK fishermen have sold most of their concessions to overseas masters, so there are very few UK boats in the fleet. And what there is is a fraction of a fraction of the UK's total GDP. But it's symbolic, and Brexiteers like a good symbol.

There will be no movement by the EU on fishing. It will want access.

As for the LPF: there was provision and agreement on this in the PD, so this is not a surprise. The EU will, absolutely, not bend on LPF either.

Meanwhile the UK trying to weedle itself out of agreements already made, some in the WA itself (an international treaty) and the PD.

Micheal Barnier says that an agreement needs to be made by October. He was honest and pragmatic.

Mark Francois made fun of Barnier's accent. Yes, that's where we are.

Barnier takes his negotiating mandate from the EU COmmission, which is elected by Member States. Comlaining about Marnier is like moaning when a "speak your weight machine" calls you fat. Just doing its job, as Barnier is doing his, pointing out that the EU's position has not changed. Respect our red lines and maybe a deal can be done.

So, summer holidays, and another four weeks will slip by.

There is no time for an FTA of any kind. All that could be done is an Association Membership of Agreement, which has the bonus of not needing ratification by national or regional assemblies. Though the EU will demand an overarching dispute resolution of the entire deal, not on a sector by sector basis as the UK wants. The EU has that with Switzerland, and doesn't want to go through that pain again.

There is a deal to be done, maybe, just how late before Johnson blinks.

Jon Lis, a Brexit commentator I respect, suggests there just is no plan. Never was. And that as it becomes clear to the Brexiteers in charge, its so complex they don't know where to start. So, resort to threats in walking out of talks.

There might be more to this than appears, as a report published this morning says the Government had no plan for dealing with COVID, just did things. Sometimes right, mostly wrong.

As always, Brexit was fine in theory, in the space of a Brexiteers head, but in reality, in the real world, it falls apart.

So, as we head towards another cliff edge, not only is there no brakes on the bus, there is no one at the wheel and those running around screaming can't see cliff edges.

Business needs clarity on what to prepare for, reports suggest those invisted to take part in working groups are expected to sign NDAs which have a gag clause for seven years.

By October business will be screaming, loudly, as to what it is to do. Its not at the moment as in rocking the boat firms worry about losing access to Ministers of contracts, but the silence will end.

Just don't be surprised.

Oh, and the third update: talks between the UK and US have been postponed until the new year, as they are deemed to be too complicated to rush. As opposed to talks with the EU which are every bit as complicated and worth many times more to our GDP, but they can be rushed.

Something stinks.