Give Brexiters a Millimeter, They’ll Take a Mile

Give Brexiters a Millimeter, They’ll Take a Mile

History always repeats itself, first as tragedy, then as farce. We seem to have both when it comes to Brexit. The UK is once again threatening to walk away from trade terms it signed with the European Union, lambasting them as unworkable despite having signed up to them in 2019. The EU, even as it insists renegotiation is impossible, is throwing out concessions like confetti to keep the Brits on-side. And all the while, time and energy that could have been spent on bigger issues, like climate change, is wasted.

Optimistic onlookers will tell themselves things are getting better, and every little de-escalation helps. For all the inflammatory language and threats vented by Boris Johnson’s top Brexit official, David Frost, there’s an openness to hearing Brussels’ proposals. And on the European side, offers to reduce red tape are focused on easing trade barriers in Northern Ireland, especially where food is concerned, rather than divisive asks such as the removal of the European Court of Justice as an oversight body.

But this divorce still looks a long way from becoming constructive. The Brits will inevitably be back for more – and when they do, the EU needs to ask itself whose interests are