Sue, I think the divorce payment is in the WA so it's committed. There was never a chance we could have left without some sort of payment for residual obligations, much as some suggested they could 'go whistle for it'. And it's a much lower number than Brussels first put on the table which is a result, thanks to the much-maligned previous PM.The issue with breaching the WA, or even threatening to, is the loss of trust it creates. Even if we do cut some sort of deal what are the chances of another breach when it suits us (or them - two wrongs don't make a right but there will be some in Brussels who will say why stick to something if it no longer suits?). I hope it never comes to that but when trust is in short supply there is always that danger.Yes, at the end of the day (sorry!) a FTA with the EU is in both sides' interests so something should emerge in the next week or so but we are going to find losing the previous free access especially for services, by far our biggest export, a big loss. Those new FTAs around the world had better bring in a lot more business if we are to make any sort of net gain.
Jonathan Callaway ● 1273d