Despite talk of the negotiations getting bogged down, the French president seems to understand that the process is about politics more than legal complexity.
Countries with which we strike future trade deals – the top priority for Party members according to our survey – should be treated more favourably than those with which we don’t.
From its range of tailor-made trade deals to its habit of allowing Member States to break the rules, Brussels is more flexible than Barnier’s rhetoric might suggest.
It’s often suggested that the Remain wing of the Cabinet wouldn’t wear such a choice. I doubt it.
From speaking to civil servants, it seems that – at least until recently – the Cabinet had not properly considered either a preferred end state or indeed transition policy.
For all the talk of an “off the shelf” solution, those available would cross Brexiteer red lines.
Rather than price caps and nationalisations, there is a chance to help consumers with tax cuts and regulatory reform.
The Union has already signed up to an FTA) with Canada. Surely we should be able to agree a similar deal for the UK – if not one substantially deeper.
His Mansion House speech offered an opportunity to shift the tone of Brexit policy towards openness, liberalism, free trade and responsible capitalism.
We would remain bound by the EU’s protectionist tariff structure, and have our trade agreements determined by institutions on which we were not represented.
Will the UK get a deal? Much depends on whether other European governments or the EU Commission take charge on the other side of the table.
Two new ConHome columns begin tomorrow.
Over the coming weeks, MPs from our team will be setting out on ConservativeHome and elsewhere how the UK would forge beneficial new arrangements.
Their present powers aren’t sufficient. Here are some proposals for more.
To attain success in the forthcoming European renegotiation we shall need allies, and to fall out with them on a second-order question would be perverse.