Brexit is a saga of endless misunderstandings from both sides of the negotiating table

Editorial: Threats, ultimatums and bluffs are the way wars start, or in this case a cold war between the UK and its former partners in the European Union

Boris Johnson is threatening to walk away from EU negotiations with no deal

Taking an optimistic view, the government’s plan to “override” parts of the UK-EU withdrawal agreement is just a typically audacious Johnsonian negotiating tactic. Frustrated by the European Union’s refusal, fairly or not, to grant Britain a “Canada-style” free trade agreement, the prime minister and his team are upping the ante, doing what the European Commission least expect, calling Michel Barnier’s bluff and so on.  

When these British threats succeed (on this hopeful reading), and the EU gives way on fisheries and the “level playing field” and a historic UK-EU free-trade agreement is concluded, all concerned will be so relieved that a no-deal Brexit has been avoided that the prime minister will be regarded as the greatest British statesman since Palmerston. 

Before long, any lingering resentments from Brexit, between the British and Europe, and between Remainers and Leavers will dissolve, and Global Britain will indeed “prosper mightily”, as Mr Johnson promises.