[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by jonbxx

But very often, what come around goes around, especially at the committee stage. Way, way back in the day, I went on a week 'business skills' course run by the UK scientific research councils (MRC who funded me, BBRSC, PPARC, etc.) One of the activities we did was a mini COREPER session, COREPER being the EU Commissions point where member states negotiators get together to bash out new initiatives, laws and so on. The chap running this session used to be part of the UK team at COREPER.

We had to negotiate treaties on renewable energy policy, levels on an industrial pollutant and tariffs on soft fruit. I was in the 'Sweden' team and we couldn't give a monkeys about soft fruit or the pollutant as we didn't make either but was very strong on renewables. We formed an alliance where we backed Spain and Italy on their soft fruit policy in return for their support on our renewables policy. We went 'soft' on the pollutant issue to get Frances support. We were given guidelines on our 'public' position and a secret limit to how far we could vary from this position.

It was a tough three hours but it bought it home how much horse trading you can do when working on multiple issues. Concessions on olive oil bottles will be paid back somewhere else. No one gives away anything for nothing at COREPER!

Very insightful, thanks for taking the time to share this.

---------- Post added at 21:20 ---------- Previous post was at 20:47 ----------

Interesting analysis from one reader ("Count Kostov") in today's FT

And so battle is finally engaged. But whoever gets their way on Brexit will suffer winner’s curse.
If the Brexiters have their way they will have to live with the chaos they have created. Doubtless, they will blame the chaos on Remainers for stopping them getting the gold-plated unicorn version of Brexit which they would have done if only real Brexiters like David Davis had been in charge of negotiations. Oh, hang on…he must have been sabotaged by the treacherous May.
If the Remainers somehow win, then the Brexiters can spend the rest of their lives pleading a betrayal and treachery narrative. Every setback and misfortune will be traced back to the original sin of the great betrayal. It will be non stop grievance. Win or lose, the betrayal narrative is central to Brexit mythology.
A Remain victory will give the opportunity for really vicious populists to rise up and lead the charge against the establishment (ie anyone who disagrees with me) who betrayed the people. Protestors chanting ‘Nazi’ at politicians will seem very tame in comparison to what may come.
Brexit has opened Pandora’s box and it will be very difficult to close.

https://www.ft.com/content/20e20694-...1-4ff78404524e