Michel Barnier, one of the European Unions gaggle of bureaucrats involved in Brexit negotiations, has said that the UK has two weeks in which to clarify key issues or make concessions if progress is to be made in the talks. Rather more reasonably, David Davis, the UK's chief negotiator, has said that it's time for both sides "to work to find solutions"
While Barnier threatens, Davis attempts to conciliate; the difference in approach is stark. The EU is attempting to blackmail the UK into handing over piles of cash and accepting whatever it demands in relation to issues such as citizens' rights and the Irish border before it will agree to talk about a post-Brexit trade agreement.
Surely it is clear to everyone that the EU has no interest in having fair-minded discussions, what it wants is its own way and the total surrender of the UK to its demands. The UK should stand up for itself and tell Mr Barnier and his pals where to go.
Despite the way in which most of the media portrays things, that is, that the EU holds all of the cards, the UK holds the most powerful card of all; it can walk away and pay nothing more into the EU's bottomless money pit. Mr Davis should make it very clear to his opposite number that this option is now very much to the fore and will be actioned unless the EU adopts a more realistic and reasonable approach. There is no chance that countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain and others would suddenly refuse to trade with the UK or to impose massive tariffs on its goods; quite simply, our trade is too valuable to them.
If Barnier wants to threaten us, we should react in kind and give the EU two weeks to start genuine negotiations, otherwise, we will leave without a deal. See how he likes that.
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