The week started so well for the Prime Minister. Tory rebels failed to muster the necessary 48 votes to force the no confidence vote. The withdrawal agreement had proven unacceptable to all parties. The saving grace ... the no-deal option appeared to be even worse. Staying in the EU was becoming a more favoured option.
Theresa May had made it clear she would exhaust all options, herself included. The performance on Radio 5 live evidence of the long haul. Mrs May has the "emotional engagement of an answering machine", claimed Patrick Kidd in the Times today.
Press 1, if you want a facilitated customs arrangement; Press 2, if you want to avoid a hard border down the Irish Sea; Press 3 for tariffs; 4 for another vote; Your call is important to us, just keep those questions coming!
"Is your deal better than the one we have already, staying within the European Union?" asked Michael from Kent. Was this Heseltine? Who knows ... "Don't be absurd" the PM wanted to reply but held the line. "It will be a different world but a good one, I genuinely believe there is bright future for this country". Taking back control, a truly global Britain, seeking a rightful place in the world, on the edge of Europe, that sort of thing.
The EU plans to meet this week-end. Angela Merkel is planning to veto the session unless France and Spain get into line. "Fish and Gibs" on the menu. The French reluctant to let go of the fishing quotas, the Spanish requiring additional assurances on the future of Gibraltar.
It all seemed so clear last week-end, an ambitious free trade agreement the outcome at the end of the withdrawal agreement. We get to keep the fish, save some money, expats get to stay in the sunshine. Then came the fudge ...
"Britain and the EU "envisage having a trading relationship on goods that is as close as possible with a view to facilitating the ease of legitimate trade." Plus ...
The French just won't let go of the fish. the EU boats will continue to seek access to British fisheries. Both parties have agreed to use "best endeavours" to conclude and ratify a fisheries agreement no later than July 2020. It's a fix and a fudge, agreeing not to disagree, the basis of agreement once again.
For the DUP, the deal is worse than Jeremy Corbyn in power. For Dominic Raab, the deal is worse than staying in the EU. For all parties, Brexit is like the battery advert, Theresa May the Duracell bunny.
Last one standing, in the end we may all say ... "Look whatever you agree in the end is fine with me ... especially if that means "status quo ante referendum". Yep get them to vote on that ... status quo ante referendum ... we have exhausted all other options ...
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