To think dispite all the tough talk they are shitying themselves

[pleasemothermay1]

They should off offered this to David however I quite certain they thought we were bluffing

Personally I would say NO deal

www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/24/brexit-deal-free-movement-exemption-seven-years

[claig]

YANBU.

No deal. Call their bluff.

[RortyCrankle]

Too little, too late and although I know immigration was important for some, it was not a priority for most of us who voted leave. They are desperate for our money - tough.

[caroldecker]

If free movement is such a good deal, why not keep it for themselves rather than force it on those who don't want it?

[Puzzledandpissedoff]

I don't think this is intended to form part of our "leaving deal" at all - I think it's a carefully worded ruse to try to keep us in, hold onto our contributions and prevent others demanding a referendum

Can't you just hear it: "we've got so many concessions that we don't need to leave any more" - except, of course, those "concessions" would quickly prove to be no such thing

Smoke and mirrors, all of it, from an utterly discredited organisation

[pleasemothermay1]

This exactly Italy are on the verge of collapse would imagine the finance mister looked at the books and thought good good they really might leave and with Spanish employment at %40

[cdtaylornats]

A lot has been said about countries like Norway and Switzerland having to pay up and still not getting a seat at the table, but I imagine the thought of the UK joining with those 2 and perhaps Greenland then you are starting to build a bloc with clout. Add in Canada then you have the two halves of the North West passage which will allow Chinese and Japanese access to Europe without going to Suez.

[specialsubject]

I remain to be convinced that we had any clout before.

I also don't think that the EU values us - if they had, they would have been more flexible in negotiations before the referendum. Our tendency to follow all instructions (when other countries pick and choose) meant we had the worst of all worlds.

will it be better outside? Like everyone else, I've no idea.

[gonetoseeamanaboutadog]

It's very unclear whether it's a remaining deal or a leaving deal - or simply a 'we've just realised this could cost us big' deal. Reports seem to vary depending on the politics of the paper.

But that could be because there is essentially no story. Someone said it was one of a number of very formative options on the table. That's it.

I still think there's just a chance Brexit might not happen.

[specialsubject]

Well, at least they are talking. Surprised the EU is doing that !

[chantico]

They were always going to talk. Because despite what projects fear/doom stated, getting the right deal for both sides matters and they know that.

Because the EU is nearly broke, and the Germans know they can't afford to hold it together for much longer. So there is no desire whatsoever to put up trade barriers. What is needed now is a face saving way of achieving that.

[Iflyaway]

A lot has been said about countries like Norway and Switzerland having to pay up and still not getting a seat at the table, but I imagine the thought of the UK joining with those 2 and perhaps Greenland then you are starting to build a bloc with clout. Add in Canada then you have the two halves of the North West passage which will allow Chinese and Japanese access to Europe without going to Suez.

LOL.

You should write the thriller. You could get to Nr. 1 on the booksellers' list....

Funny ==if it wasn't so fucking serious-- how Brexiters always imagine the whole world will roll over and do their bidding...

[cdtaylornats]

Oh I voted Remain but having gone through the various stages of grief/denial/rage I realise its time to quit whining and get on with it.

I don't believe everything will be wonderful, but I don't believe the sky will come crashing down. We have a trade deficit with the EU, Germany, Poland, Spain and Italy export 1 million cars to us each year - do you think they will happily give up that market?

We need to focus on building a trading bloc. The new route above Canada is about the only positive from global warming (unless you are Suez).

The North-West passage is attracting a great deal of interest from China
www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/china-reveals-plans-to-ship-cargo-across-canadas-northwest-passage/article29691054/

Some of my fellow remainers are acting just like the SNP - democracy is fine until it goes the wrong way.

[RageAgainstTheTagine]

I think we've done the right thing in voting to leave. First we are told no talk, no negotiations etc.....that turned out be a lie. I think the EU are corrupt to the very core, we have got out and seen the sheer nastiness they were capable of.
I'm very sad to see so many people with a 'can't do' attitude, we tell our children to aim high and yet we ourselves seem to be afraid to dump the toxic 'friend' and make new ones who are better for us.

[gonetoseeamanaboutadog]

Juncker appears to have put that option firmly off the table. It didn't make sense that they would offer it now, in many ways. They had every reason to do so before the vote and didn't.

[gonetoseeamanaboutadog]

As for sheer nastiness, Britain has been an absolute nightmare to work with in the EU - we have shafted both the EU and various countries within it so many times. We really aren't the victims here.

No wonder they are all more positive about the EU with us gone.

[Inkanta]

'I'm very sad to see so many people with a 'can't do' attitude, we tell our children to aim high and yet we ourselves seem to be afraid to dump the toxic 'friend' and make new ones who are better for us.'

Wow - great way of putting it gone!

[Inkanta]

Sorry - talking to RageAgainst

[Inkanta]

'As for sheer nastiness, Britain has been an absolute nightmare to work with in the EU - we have shafted both the EU and various countries within it so many times. '

Woah - steady on. That doesn't sound right.

[gonetoseeamanaboutadog]

Amazing come back, inkanta

[Rainbunny]

I'm glad it's off the table actually, now Boris and Theresa can't be tempted to agree to it which would have started a civil war in Westminster.

I erred on the side of Remain but some of the reactions from EU leaders have made me relieved in some ways that we are leaving. I'm not totally surprised that this idea came up though, as much as Brussels won't want to allow the UK to stay in the common market without accepting free movement of people, ironically I think the bigger fear will be if the UK thrives outside of the single market, thus demonstrating that you can survive and prosper outside of the EU. That and they would still like to receive our money. The EU is massively over budget currently (in fact they delayed their budget talks until after the referendum, perhaps because it's likely more contributions will be asked for to make up the budget shortfall).