***/POST-BREXIT POLITICAL DECLARATION: From......>

UK: ***/POST-BREXIT POLITICAL DECLARATION: From what has emerged on the draft

text on the post-Brexit relationship so far, a little in it for everybody:

- Deep regulatory and customs cooperation / 'single customs territory' for UK

remainers on the one hand, but EU recognising UK's 'independent trade' policy

and the fabled technological solution to the Irish border/'determination to

replace the backstop' for Brexiteers.

- Also nods to Fishing and Financial services, as well as practicalities

including electricity and gas networks, with cooperation between the UK and

European agencies (EMA etc).

- For EU leaders, 'provisions ensuring a level playing field for open and fair

competition' attempt to address concerns on Single Market integrity, but how

compatible is this with the 'single customs territory' remains to be seen...also

UK agrees to pay in to EU budget if transition is extended.

- On the margin this may make the withdrawal bill a little easier for UK MPs on

the fence to accept, with vague declarations allowing any number of

interpretations of how the future will look. Devil is in the details of course.