British are past masters at trying it on, except on Brexit it didn’t work

If Britain can leave with a better deal than it had when it was a member, that’s the end of the EU, writes Fergus Finlay

Why is anyone surprised that they’re surprised? The Brits I mean. They’re shocked, appalled, horrified, and even insulted. Because European leaders told Theresa May in public exactly what they’ve been telling her in private for months.

She arrives in Saltzburg, makes a speech, writes an article in a newspaper, and expects the world to fall at her feet. It’s my plan or nothing, she says. You must take Chequers or leave it. Right so, she’s told. We’ll leave it, thanks very much. And then she gives another speech saying that Britain must be treated with more respect than this.