This flimsy new treaty will not end the national argument about where Britain’s prosperity lies

Editorial: For all Boris Johnson’s showmanship, the relief that a deal has at last arrived should not disguise this moment of national self-harm

(Brian Adcock)

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, was graceful and thoughtful in quoting Shakespeare as Britain’s membership of the European project came to its practical end. “Parting is such sweet sorrow,” she said.

The German politician looked and sounded sad, as did Michel Barnier, the EU’s masterful chief negotiator. Boris Johnson, by contrast, tweeted an image of himself with his arms in the air as if England had just won the World Cup. That is not how a good half of his fellow citizens, if not more, feel about this unwelcome Christmas present.  

The relief that a deal has at last arrived should not disguise this moment of national self-harm. As Mr Barnier reminded us, the sadness for Britain and for the rest of Europe is to compare what lies in front of us with the unlimited freedoms to work, study and trade that existed for most of the past half-century.