Brexit overture at an end - Game moves on, but no end in sight

There were two significant political announcements yesterday and though it may seem slightly skewed to compare one with the other, or to suggest that the long-term success of each proposal is as important as the other, that is the case — especially as, in our increasingly connected world, one is unlikely to be realised without the support of the other.

European Council president, Donald Tusk, naturally, took centre stage when he announced that a political declaration on the new relationship between Britain and the European Union has been “agreed at negotiators’ level and agreed in principle at political level”. “I have just sent to EU27 a draft ‘Political Declaration on the Future Relationship’ between EU and UK,” he continued, bringing months of speculation and unhelpful “red lines, blood-red lines” posturing to an end. However, it is more than unlikely the nascent pact will be endorsed by the House of Commons. That expected rejection will perpetuate uncertainty, but how it might influence the 27 states that are happy — generally — to continue with the European project to appease British demands, sane or otherwise, remains to be seen. It is a relief, though, that the two-year overture to the main drama has ended and that agreed proposals can allow the next stage of the divorce process to open, even if yesterday’s announcement seemed to kick Ireland’s critical, hard-border dilemma down the road yet one more time.