Writes Philip Stephens in the Financial Times today. He continues: ''Brexit is being stripped of its fantasies. This week EU and British negotiators embarked on a third round of “virtual” negotiations about the trade and political relationship when transitional arrangements expire in December. The omens are poor. The EU side looks to the extensive framework in the political statement accompanying the withdrawal agreement. Mr Johnson’s team insists on a zero-quota, zero-tariff trade deal without obligations to maintain a level economic playing field. There is a big gap on fishing arrangements and nothing close to a meeting of minds on security and foreign policy."

I would add that fishing accounts for about 0.1% of the UK economy while services 70 to 80 percent.  There is no doubt that the UK, more than any other Euroepan ecnomy, is suffering from COVID-19 more than our neighbours but about the same as Johnson's great friend and hopeful saviour the USA.  Can the UK handle both Brexit and COVID-19.  For the latter clearly no, and for the former and even clearer NO.  Yes COVID has handed me and many others, in fact the majority of voters in the UK, a gift.  Not that I wanted it this way, but it is clearer and clearer that the UK has to stay with the EU - now the much much stronger partner.