We Are in Stage Two of the EU-UK Divorce "It's Your Fault!". CETC Garden Party

CETC Garden Party in Lee Gardens and Hall at Wolfson College

We have moved on from stage one of the UK-EU divorce "We will do our best to work together to reach the best agreement for both of us. We are now entering stage two - the increasingly irritated "It's unfair and its your fault that we can't get the agreement that I want!".

This months negotiations on Brexit between the EU and the UK ended with little progress. Apparently the UK's fluffy position papers coyly saying "We're going to leave this marriage but will still want to have a relationship with all the benefits but under our control" has not convinced the EU negotiators. Michel Barnier talked of wanting real negotiations but finding that the UK's position is "nostalgic and unrealistic".

David Davis was equally irritated at the EU insistence on the three issues it needs resolved before moving on (EU citizen rights, Irish relations, outstanding debts). “It’s fair to say across the piece we have a very different legal stance. I think we have succeeded in building mutual understanding, but it is also clear that there are still significant differences to be bridged.” Flexibility and imagination was needed.

Telling was the comment by Barnier that he feels that the UK thinks it can legally simply absolve itself of paying for any commitments - and he asked, how was that supposed to help in building trust for the next stage of the negotiations?

The grand omission from the UK side is any figures or suggestions re the expected Brexit bill. Whilst the reality is that something will have to be paid, it is political suicide for the UK side to mention paying out billions of pounds - the electorate will not be very happy.

President Trump has promised that he will "probably" donate $1 million to victims of Harvey. The current situation is still in the first stages of response after the flooding. The grim task of visiting all the homes affected by flooding as they become more accessible again is likely to raise the official death toll over the coming weeks. Across India, Bengal and Bangladesh, there have been an estimated 1200 deaths due to the severe monsoon flooding there.

Jane and I took up our roles as the CETC reception for the CETC Garden Party this evening. This was after a drive at rush hour, through a torrential shower, followed by a full rainbow. The event was at Wolfson College with over 50 guests and Cambridge's Daniel Zeichner MP as the invited speaker. Good conversation and food in the Lee Hall and garden of the College.