Where are we on Brexit The silly season perhaps where both sides are negotiating and using PR to improve their position. But are these negotiations real? Objectively once the fact that UK is leaving is accepted then the end deal is just common sense but the EU 27 cannot be seen to agreeing to this new arrangement without a dramatic political debate. In other words, they have to dress up allowing the UK to have its cake and eat it And it is the only political game in town so everyone has to play Here in UK Labour also recognising the end deal have to play the role of the opposition and they have chosen to do that by arguing against the practical issues instead of the central ones So everyone knows the outcome but what is it? Trade will be zero tariffs and friction free customs so the existing procedures only have to be tinkered with A new Tribunal for disputes We will pay contribution towards EU Budget up to 2020-no legal requirement but we have agreed to this budget We will join and contribute to EU organisations which we chose without any restriction from EU 27 Existing resident Expats will maintain same rights as now but new ones and immigration will be based on our current rules for non EU applicants and same for individual EU 27 States From day one our regulations will be the same as EU 27 but both sides will naturally change them as required to meet their own requirements as and when appropriate As the changes will be very few at day 1 there will be just a short transition period for practical purposes Everything therefore carries on basically as though we have not left except that we are no longer ruled by EU and can chose to adopt or ignore any new regulations they devise and our Courts are sovereign I suppose this raises the question why? Quite simply because the economic and security benefits to both sides overwhelm the short term political objections of supporters of Project Super State Europe It would not do the Project any good at all if EU 27 self-inflicted a recession or impacted on the businesses of EU 27 citizens In the end money talks