THERESA HITS BACK !

At last !

Finally, the negotiations over the UK's exit from the European Union have begun in earnest. Following hot on the heels of the EU's dismissive comments about the UK's proposals, Theresa May made a long awaited speech in which she berated the EU's leaders for their failure to be realistic and to treat the UK with the respect it deserves. In response, Donald Tusk on behalf of the EU expressed surprise, accused Mrs May of being "tough" and "uncompromising", but still said that he believed a deal was possible.

Having suffered Michel Barnier's rigid approach over the last year and more, for Tusk to now call Theresa May tough and uncompromising is almost risible. Throughout the negotiations, the EU, in the person of Barnier, has maintained the most uncompromising stance imaginable, particularly over the question of the Irish border. While the UK has proposed, or accepted, compromise after compromise, the EU has had one approach - it's our way or no way. Now, at long last, hit back; Mrs May has hit back and it's clear that the EU has been both surprised and nonplussed by her change of attitude.

Of course, there is a large amount of posturing on both sides but Mrs May seemed genuinely angry when delivering yesterday's speech; there was a note of fury in her voice, which appeared to tremble slightly at times. Mr Tusk and his cronies cannot have missed it and may now be realizing that while the UK can't have it all their on way, neither can the EU.

The next few weeks promise to be dramatic.