Bad faith and mixed messages

Friday night, a senior member of the UK negotiating team briefed EU media that he had spent the previous hour in talks with the EU that the UK was no longer so opposed to UCJ in NI.

This was reported widely, and the sources were impeccable.

And hour later, Frost denied this was the case, and was simply prioritising other issues seen as more important.

That there could be this difference in perception shows it was, almost certainly, something different said for domestic consumption and said in talks with the EU. Holding the Conservative Party is seen more important than was is good for the nation and Union.

This highlights the problem for the EU, that anything agreed today could and will be disputed tomorrow. If they agree to changes now, then next week, next month or whatever, that will be unacceptable to Frost.

So, as ever, the question is where to draw the line?

Brexit is expected to be quiet over Christmas but ramp up early next year, talks and issues, old and new.

Lets enjoy the peace and quiet, for now.

But remember, new rules are coming in for imports from the EU from January 1st, so either shortages or proces rises, or both, will be coming to a supermarket near you very soon.