For far, far too long Downing Street dithered and delayed crucial decisions. Ministers need to commit to selling the agreed policy before its too late.
We will know soon enough, when the leaders reassemble for the next opportunity to break the impasse.
Our exit in will coincide with a new cycle of European elections which will redraw political power in the European Parliament and other EU institutions.
It’s likely that there will be some form of agreement, perhaps at the last minute. Likely, but far from certain.
The Government must avoid one which can be ‘triggered’ in the event of any UK regulatory divergence on goods or agriculture.
Davis was not alone in being kept in the dark – ministers in various departments have been wrongly left out of Brexit planning done by their own civil servants.
Either a new dispute resolution mechanism will be required, or the UK could dock into part of the EFTA court to resolve disputes over goods.
That means making overdue decisions, settling internal disputes, and no more campaigning by the Treasury to undermine Brexit policy.
Labour have sunk efforts to trap us in the Single Market. A compromise should kick the Customs Union can down the road. Which leaves the ‘meaningful’ vote.
Some Italians hoped Brexit would make Brussels realise it had gone too far. Instead, the EU elite has doubled down, regardless of troublesome voters.
And most EU member states haven’t spent nearly enough time really thinking what the future relationship between the UK and EU should look like, either.
There are two options under consideration. One in particular, the partnership model, is unworkable and unacceptable. It should be put out of its misery.
Can we really imagine ministers rejecting Justin Trudeau’s trade deal offer, or one from the American administration, or from Australia and New Zealand?
Despite talk of the negotiations getting bogged down, the French president seems to understand that the process is about politics more than legal complexity.
To listen to some commentators a few weeks ago, you’d have thought it was only EU membership – not shared interests and values – that brings allies together.
Either a new dispute resolution mechanism will be required, or the UK could dock into part of the EFTA court to resolve disputes over goods.