[Skybird]

Philip Stephens, co-senior editor of the Financial Times, published a German opinion piece over here where he imo correctly points at the terrible basic mistake Londown is committed to - the assumption that is that after elections in Germany Berlin would start to support Londowns positions somewhat and push the eU towards accepting according compromises. He reasons that this reflects a traditional basic flaw in British foreign polciy towards Germany since always, and a general inability in Londown to see things from politically totally different perspectives - perspectives shared by the opponent on the other side of the table.

Merkel has very different things on mind than to help Brexit illusions and dreams by Londown to get the process running the way it wants.

I think Stephens is right there. Germany will present May, or whoever will be leader in the forseeable future, an ultra-hard crashlanding on the unforgiving grounds of reality. Londown reads too much into the high german interest in good trade relations with britain. Becasue although they are high, for the EUcrats in Berlin other things rank incredibly much higher in importance, no matter how foolish they are, than trade with the UK. This is what May and others do not understand. They overrate the UK's position and strength if not in the world, then in the EU.

And the British nuclear weapons may be important for Europe, but obviously nobody in Europe cares.

The sun of Rome is set.Our day is gone.
Clouds, dews and dangers come; our deeds are done.
Shakespeare: Julius Ceasar