wasn't really in our gift

EU wouldn't countenance discussing anything unless we triggered art 50. By triggering Art 50 we were immediately on the back foot given the timetable and so beholden to how the EU wanted to run things. So The order went:

1) Agree settlement, Proceed to next stage.
2) Agree WA. Proceed to next stage.
3) Agree trade deal.

Lots of ways we could and should have run things but we kinda f**ked ourselves when MPs decided the referendum result was binding and not advisory. All initiative passed to the EU (although they'd have always held the upper hand given the way Art 50 was drafted - by us ironically enough)

Posted By: CWC, Aug 29, 19:12:50