Despite all of the recent huffing and puffing over the terms of the proposed 'Brexit deal', not to mention Theresa May's assurances that the deal was effectively sealed in stone, it's now clear that it isn't.
After further talks today, it's being reported that questions still remain over fishing rights and the position of Gibraltar and it's now being said that there will be further last minute discussions on Saturday in an attempt to sign something off in time for the meeting of EU representatives on Sunday. The UK is being pressured to make further concessions while the EU insists that there can be no movement from there side.
As an independent nation, the UK will be sovereign over its territorial waters and for the EU to expect otherwise is unacceptable. If they want to include fishing rights in future trade\ discussions, fine, but to suddenly raise this an issue for the withdrawal agreement cannot be right. As for the position of Gibraltar, Spain is now trying to use this as a bargaining chip for its own nationalistic purposes and should be slapped down by the EU hierarchy; fat chance of that happening as the EU hierarchy appears to be quite happy to use anything that can be dredged up in its determination to force the UK to the brink.
Once again, Theresa May is to be put to the test. Will she have the gumption to tell the EU that enough is enough and there's no more to give, or will she just crumble, as she has done all along ? Brexiteers will be on the look out for any further weakness and this time their position may be rather stronger than it turned out to be last week. Giving way on fishing rights will not be well received and ceding any part of Gibraltar's sovereignty to Spain may well raise more than a few hackles at home.
It looks like being a fun weekend.
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