Thread by @johannketel

“May has left our fingers in the EU mangle but there is a way to get free”; highly dillusional article by ⁦@DavidDavisMP⁩. 1/

thetimes.co.uk/article/335917…

Take this for example, ditch #EU regulation and replace it in order to reach a trade deal with the US. They will have us for breakfast, forcing further deregulation and acceptance of harmful agri-products. Industry don’t necessarily want it and in services they will squeeze us./2

This; how, what and when? @DavidDavisMP has been Secretary of State for 2 years and hasn’t come up with any substantial and viable proposals, as the technology doesn’t exist. Neither has he strongly engaged with the #EU27 to work this out due to lack of internal HMG agreement. /3

As a result @DavidDavisMP still thinks he can persuade the #EU27 on the Irish border concerns, almost by again dismissing them. This will not fly in Brussels, how many times does he need to be told? /4

He confirms to achieve this is ‘hard work’, something he hasn’t really done since he got the job. The #EU is now growing twice as fast as the UK, and I wouldn’t be so confident about the achievements #brexit can deliver, we all know trade deals take years and don’t compensate. /5

Now for the fun bit; ‘our English language’ (widely spoken & used across the world - eg we all read you newspapers), ‘our Commonwealth’ (sadly neglected; many dislike today’s Britain, whilst the #EU has embraced many CW countries and agreed aid and tariff-free trade packages) /6

‘Our natural alliances’ (Trump will be really helpful here, whilst NATO consists mostly of #EU countries), ‘our legal system’ (being replicated in Paris as we speak), ‘our scientific talent’ (doesn’t every large country say that, whilst many will leave upon a hard-Brexit). /7

It sums up the pipe dream that is #Brexit; part nostalgia, part ambitions that can’t be met. But don’t tell @DavidDavisMP that, because he remains a Believer. /end