In
the hours before the latest round of Brexit talks concluded in Brussels, former
Conservative leader Lord Howard reflected on his “intense disappointment” that
David Cameron had failed to secure substantial reform of the European Union
prior to the 2016 referendum.
Mr Cameron said in 2013 he would argue for fundamental changes but
instead left Brussels in February 2016 with a patchwork of watered-down
compromises.
It was a defeat that paved the way for the Leave vote to triumph that
summer as many, including Lord Howard, came to the reluctant conclusion that
leaving was a better option than remaining a member of an unreformed
EU.
The EU has always been clear it did not wish the UK, one of the largest
net contributors to its budget, to leave but there appears to have been little
soul-searching on how its own approach contributed to Brexit
occurring.
There are now alarming signs that history is rapidly beginning to repeat
itself in the parallels between Mr Cameron’s frustrated efforts and those now
being experienced by Brexit Secretary David Davis.
Mr Davis’ reasonable point that many of the complicated issues thrown up
by the Brexit process can only be resolved with an understanding of how a new
partnership between the EU and the UK will work are falling on deaf ears, with
Brussels remaining unwilling to start discussions on future trade arrangements
as a row continues over a potential divorce bill.
EU officials have repeatedly said they believe the Brexit process will be
both damaging to the British economy and that of its remaining 27 members. By
that logic, not reaching a reasonable deal that works for both sides represents
an act of self-harm for the EU. Mr Davis must achieve what Mr Cameron failed to
- get the EU to listen to reason and act in everyone’s interests. Yorks Post.