[jonbxx]

I'm pretty surprised the heads of state went in so hard to be honest. Chequers was never going to fly - trusting the UK to collect EU tariffs after the UK has been censured for not collecting tariffs properly in the past was never an option. Countries don't trust each other, hence the need for a solid governance system in trade deals.

However, Theresa May was probably the EUs best bet for a deal, hence the reluctance to say an outright 'no' from the start. If she goes, will her replacement be more amenable to what the EU wants? I would say almost certainly no, May was probably the most EU friendly potential leader of the Conservative party at present. Therefore the other heads of state and the EU have a vested interest in keeping her in power. To go in hard just before the party conference sounds like they have given up on keeping May in power.