British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (right) and EU Council President Donald Tusk at the G7 summit in France this week
…I now notice a subtle tone change. In his one-to-one chats in Paris, Berlin and at the G7 with European Council President Donald Tusk, the prime minister has managed to persuade Brussels that:
a) He is serious in his threat to pursue a no-deal Brexit if no agreement with the EU can be found; and b) He would actively prefer to get a deal through parliament if possible.
But this change in perception does not alter facts on the ground.
EU leaders still think a no-deal Brexit is the most likely option right now.
Hmm.
Brexit: Is EU softening over Withdrawal Agreement? (BBC)
Pic: Sky News
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reprobertie will be along in a minute to mansplain to us that the WA is set in stone
https://clutch.co/bd/call-centers
Donald Tusk is probably the smartest politician and strategist I know. His relaxed warmth towards Bojo isn’t surprising. He realises Bojo is throwing every shape imaginable, the threat of a no deal, the refusal to negotiate until the backstop was abandoned (which he’s reneged upon), the withdrawal of UK civil service in Europe and threats about the £39bn divorce bill, and Tusk recognises this is shape-throwing. At the end of the day, Bojo is a politically weak leader, with a nominal majority of one, but on Brexit, Bojo doesn’t have majority support; he’s also a bit of a personal joke whose political commitments are worth no more than his marriage commitments.
If the UK is heading towards a crash out on 31 October, and there’s political chaos in Britain as the politicians there try to stop no deal, then the EU will simply unilaterally extend EU membership for another month or two. No big deal for these one-off circumstances. Johnson will be gone and his successor will formally ask for a 2-year extension for a general election or new referendum, whatever.
No wonder Tusk looks so laid back he’s in danger of falling backwards.