Some neat stitching today in the Guardian, linking together Brexit, Boris, Dominic Cummings and several other folk devils. I think this was in the 'news' section, not 'comment' ,although the Grun hardly bothers with the distinction these days
A standoff in the Brexit negotiations has been blamed on the factional infighting in Downing Street, as Dominic Cummings confirmed he will leave the government by Christmas...
A very familiar defensive smear
Manfred Weber, the leader of the largest party in the European parliament and a political ally of the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, lamented the “chaotic situation” at the heart of No 10....We can also see this as a quite chaotic situation where we don’t have an idea what is really the line in Great Britain.
A hint of realpolitk:
Weber said: “There are fair questions we are asking … If you want to change in the future, with your [petty and misguided] background of sovereignty, your subsidies, regulations [unknown to the EC] then we must have an option an opportunity to react to stop to limit your access to our market [stuff the consumers and their 'freedoms'] …So don’t tell us we should be ready for compromise.
The Graun gives a little space to the UK version
The [UK] official added: “I guess the reason the EU feel the need to say these sorts of things is that they are starting to realise that we meant it when we said there were fundamental principles from which we couldn’t move. We need to see some realism and creativity from their side if we are to bridge the significant gaps that remain.”
However, fearless and objective reporting can confirm an important part of the EC story, followed by a balanced conventional denial, but from a deeply flawed person:
Downing Street has been in chaos ...Cummings dismissed as “comical” claims that a dispute over how to manage the final phase of the Brexit negotiation was to blame for the recent crisis in Downing Street.
Meanwhile, the Guardian fills in some helpful background:
There have been concerns raised in the past by EU officials and diplomats that the prime minister was being “held captive” by former Vote Leave campaign members...One senior EU diplomat said Cummings’ planned departure offered hope that the UK government’s resistance to agreement with the EU on a future domestic subsidy regime might slacken...“His flawed concept of state aid has held the negotiation hostage,” the diplomat said. Cummings has championed the UK’s future ability to subsidise the tech industry as a major Brexit dividend.
And there is always time for an indication of how amiable and sophisticated M Barnier is, perhaps by implicit contrast with the surly Cummings:
The EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, tweeted a picture of himself on a London football pitch on Thursday, citing the logjam over standards and subsidies...He tweeted: “Short break from intense negotiations in London. Went looking for level playing fields … ”
Meanwhile, el GRun's depictions of itself, reproduced in an appeal for money at the foot of every column on the website, looks increasingly desperate and delusional:
We believe everyone deserves access to information that’s grounded in science and truth, and analysis rooted in authority and integrity. That’s why we made a different choice: to keep our reporting open for all readers, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay. This means more people can be better informed, united, and inspired to take meaningful action....In these perilous times, an independent, truth-seeking global news organisation like the Guardian is essential...Every contribution, however big or small, makes a real difference for our future.
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