TIME TO GET TOUGH WITH THE EU.

Even before the ink was dry on the UK's European Union Withdrawal Agreement, the bully boys of the EU were already issuing a new round of threats. I suppose that's just par for the course.

While Prime Minister Johnson and representatives of the British government have been positive and optimistic about a future trade agreement, the EU's mandarins have simply been negative and demanding. The Irish Premier, Leo Varadkar, has told us that the EU will have much the stronger hand in negotiations, effectively telling the UK that it will have to accept whatever the EU demands, or there will be no agreement. It's also reported that the French President, Emmanuel Macron, has told his EU colleagues that he wants continued access to British waters for French, and other,  fishermen for at least 25 years beyond the UK's exit if there's to be any deal. Others, such as arch-pessimist and obstructionist Michel Barnier, keep repeating that doing a deal by the end of the year is well nigh impossible. I say that where there's a will, there's a way but, of course, there has to be a 'will' in the first place, which is sadly lacking when it comes to the EU's leadership.

Both Varadkar and Macron are undoubtedly acting in their own interests as both have their own domestic political issues. However, their approach will no doubt be welcomed by others in the EU who are determined to make Brexit as uncomfortable as possible for the UK. What they seem to be forgetting, or at least ignoring, is that the EU benefits enormously from the existing trading arrangements, the UK actually running a substantial deficit with the rest of the EU's member states.

Given this consistently unhelpful and threatening attitude from the European Union, I wonder why our own government seems to be so unwilling to respond in like manner. Would the French be happy if we placed a 50% tariff on imports of their wines and cheeses ? Would the Germans enjoy seeing the prices of their cars similarly increased ? Our government need do no more than suggest possibilities.

I like French wine, but many countries outside of the EU also make good wine - Australia, the United States, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, South Africa and there's even our own English wine. As for cars, my last 2 have been German, but my next one won't be unless the EU shows a little more willingness to behave decently; Japan, Malaysia, Korea and the USA, even China, all make acceptable cars. There are many other areas of trade that can be similarly boycotted or changed, much more to the detriment of the EU than to the UK.

So let's have a bit of real intent from the British government as soon as we get to Saturday February 1st 2020 and we're out of this abominable organisation. Let's be clear. Tell them that it's a deal by 31st December or it's No Deal; no ifs, buts or maybes. It's take it or leave it on our terms and we won't be bullied.

Over to you, Boris !