Brexit is far from being done – the hard work begins now

Getting the deal through the Commons means Johnson has come further than his predecessor, but the EU is not likely to just roll over when it comes to new talks

Even with his impressive parliamentary majority and his apparently boundless optimism, Boris Johnson should know better than to set an end date of 31 December 2020 for the UK’s transition out of the European Union into law ­– the latest twist in the Brexit saga.

All experience tells us that trying to set artificial deadlines on Brexit is neither practical nor wise. In this case it risks no-deal Brexit – an outcome just as depressing and dangerous to the wellbeing of the nation as it was when it hovered into view before the previous Brexit departure dates in March, June and October.

Of course, Mr Johnson is gambling that this time will be different, or, in his own terms, he will enjoy a repeat of his supposed negotiating triumph that brought forth the famous “oven ready” deal. Except, of course, that this “new” oven ready deal is nothing of the sort. Rather it was the very one cooked up by Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, and served to Theresa May, then prime minister in 2018 – and was roundly condemned by Mr Johnson for dividing Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.