BARNIER FIDDLES WHILE THE EU BURNS.

Once again, the UK's position in its 'Brexit' negotiations seems to be seen very differently on the 2 sides of the English Channel, or should I call it La Manche ?

In their session-end news conference, David Davis was, as usual, positive and forward looking. The EU's man, the dull and lugubrious Michel Barnier, said little that could be interpreted as positive and, instead, concentrated on making things seem terribly difficult, which appears to be the EU's overall stance.

One of the major bones of contention remains the position of EU citizens living in the UK after the UK goes its own way. The EU continues to demand that such people should be subject to EU law rather than UK law, a position which is utterly absurd. Where else in the world do those living in one country have their legal rights and obligations governed by the laws of another ? I've seen no mention of it, but does the EU also expect British citizens living in Spain, France, Germany or any of the other EU member states to be subject to UK law rather than that of the EU ? I somehow doubt it.

It is abundantly clear that the EU is simply using this idiotic argument, as well as the nonsense about the border arrangements between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, as a way of delaying progress in an attempt to put pressure on the UK to agree an excessive financial settlement. One wonders how many billions of pounds it would take to get the EU to drop these stupid demands.

Our representatives need to have the courage of their convictions. Many observers and business interests keep talking about uncertainty being the biggest concern in this 'Brexit' process, so let's resolve that uncertainty by simply walking away from the talks. The UK is leaving the EU in March 2019 and these discussion are an unnecessary nicety. The EU needs our money and trade and our position is far stronger than the media suggests; there is no reason why the UK cannot, at the very least, set a deadline for agreement to be reached and, if it is not, walk away.