Thread by @PeteNorth303

1. All the solutions to the various technical #Brexit concerns are to an extent sub-optimal, complicated and require a degree of compromise. Tories, though, would rather queue up round the block to be told life is simpler than it is.

#CPC18

2. Anyone can blether about sovereignty and self-determination but in the real world, regulation and rules are the WD40 of trade and without agreed norms trade simply doesn't happen. All trade agreements to one extend or other place constraints on sovereignty.

3. Brexit requires of us that we seek a balance between isolationism and subordination but since the EU is the regional and global regulatory superpower in this equation, to a larger extent it will call the shots. This is a simple fact of life. They are bigger than us.

4. Since it is we who are asking for the EU to relax its third country controls, the EU is asking for a number of commitments, none of which are especially unreasonable if you understand how the system work. Tories seem to think these rules don't apply to them.

5. And this is how you get the measure of Rees-Mogg and Johnson. These men play soothsayer - pretending the issues are simpler than they are because simple is elegant and simple is popular and ideology isn't sullied with reality. But that is what makes these men con artists.

6. Everything about Brexit turns on detail. There are systems within systems - all of which require a degree of conformity otherwise they simply don't work. The EU is not going to grant concessions to the UK that it would not give to member states.

7. The fact is that these systems are inherently expensive and complicated because the real world is complex with multiple threats and challenges and if these systems could be simplified they would be. That is the whole point of harmonisation.

8. In this the EU is not stopping us from going it alone. It simply points out that there are consequences for noncooperation that it would extend to any country and there is no basis for treating the UK any differently.

9. Here though we have charlatans telling us the the EU is being unreasonable or simply bluffing. Amazing that. The whole world has suddenly turned into a conspiracy against the UK. How terribly convenient.

10. Partly, though, this speaks to the way in which politics has been degraded over the years. People prefer to be entertained by politics. The bombast and the scheming. They are used to it not having consequences. But now it does and our politics lack the maturity to realise it.

11. Even now the media has fallen into its comfort zone making this entirely a question of Tory party leadership rather than a pivotal moment for the country. Everything is through the prism of political showdowns.

12. Being that Johnson is an attention whore, nothing keeps the media more interested than a perpetual leadership pitch. He therefore has a captive audience where the bluff and bluster gets him all the air time he could ever want.

13. Meanwhile the Chancellor speaks the language of detail and compromise to an empty hall. That tells you everything you need to know about the modern Tory party. It's all a big game to them. Detail is just for the plebs.

14. This whole jamboree from the beginning has been soured by Tory arrogance. They said we didn't need a plan. They now say we don't need to compromise. That's what you want to hear so that's what they will tell you. You are, therefore, going to deserve what you get.