Brussels struggles to stray from the letter of the rules – and thus insists on treating the UK as an ordinary third party despite our unique security relationship.
EU leaders care less about the result than many in Britain think. They are used to leading minority governments, and just want to get on with the talks.
Unintentionally, the socialists of this Belgian region have done us a favour by making the free trade championing UK look an increasingly attractive partner.
The starting point for our negotiations should be to retain full access to – but not membership of – the Single Market, while also taking full control of our borders.