EU says Free Trade Agreement is best UK can hope for. On being Chief Judge at a Toastmasters International Club Competition

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Donald Tusk introduced the EU guidelines for the future trade agreement with the UK after brexit - see actual text here  (https://g8fip1kplyr33r3krz5b97d1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/European-council-Art.50-23-March-2018-Draft-Guidelines-1.pdf)

Key phrases:
In this context, the European Council reiterates in particular that any agreement with the United Kingdom will have to be based on a balance of rights and obligations, and ensure a
level playing field. A non-member of the Union, that does not live up to the same obligations as a member, cannot have the same rights and enjoy the same benefits as a member.

The European Council recalls that the four freedoms of the Single Market are indivisible and that there can be no “cherry picking” through participation based on a sector-by-sector
approach, that would undermine the integrity and proper functioning of the Single Market.

Basically as Donald Tusk said today, the best offer for a relationship with a UK that wants to be outside the customs union is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

This is a contrast with the aspirations expressed by Theresa May for the UK. Chancellor Philip Hammond spoke at the HSBC  today on the finance sector and emphasised that it would only be in the interests of the UK and EU to maintain some closer links for the sector, something not even mentioned in the negotiating guidelines.

There was some positive news, according to a Reuter's report, 'The European Parliament will call for a broad-based “association agreement” with Britain after Brexit that goes beyond a narrow focus on trade, according to a draft resolution to be voted on next week.' The resolution suggested including an agreement covering four areas: trade and economics, foreign policy and security cooperation, internal security and thematic cooperation.

My mind was on other matters (in addition to work). I'd been volunteered to be Chief Judge for tonight's Huntingdonshire Speakers Club International Speech competition by the event's Chair. This club competition was the very first stage of the annual competitions that would aim to find the best global Toastmasters International Speaker. I'd been both a competitor and a standard judge at previous club competitions but this was a step change. A couple of hours printing out reams of required material and wading through competition rules meant a modicum of confidence when i turned up early at the venue. it was even more daunting for the Chair as she was taking on a the key role of running the whole event for the first time too.

There were actually two competitions, with three speakers volunteering for the International speakers competition and three others for the Evaluation Competition. We had to share the briefing of competitors, time keepers, the actual judges, tally counters and secret  Tie Break adjudicating judge. We got through the first competition with only minor glitches and were running smoothly for the following Evaluation competition. Our club's two winners were chosen and now go forward to the next level, the district competition - and we wish them the best of luck!