The government must not lose sight of the EU trade talks

Editorial: Coronavirus has rightly been a priority, but a deadline over a deal will be looming before too long

Michel Barnier has sounded pessimistic about the prospects of a deal (EbS)

Were it not for the global coronavirus pandemic, the small matter of the UK’s faltering trade talks with the European Union would be front page news, at least in Britain. Brexit was, after all, supposed to be the political and economic event that would define the country’s prospects for the next decade and more.

That is still true, even though a more pressing crisis is preoccupying government and distracting the people. When the Covid-19 outbreak passes, “we will meet again” to return to some familiar challenges.

Michael Gove’s appearance at the Brexit select committee was thus as disturbing as it could ever be.