UK in 'cloud cuckoo land': EU insider says Brexit trade talks ten times harder than bill

Charles Grant, who has close ties to officials in both the British Government and the EU Commission, warned that the current deadlocked Brexit talks are "ten times easier" than what will come next year. The director of the Centre for European Reform warned that getting to the second phase of Brexit talks is only the beginning of the real battle in leaving the EU. He revealed that EU officials will be "much tougher" than the British Government realises on the future relationship. Mr Grant added that officials in Brussels believe the UK is in "cloud-cuckoo land" over their naivety regarding trade talks. 

Speaking to France24, the EU expert said that achieving a greenlight for the second phase of talks in December will come, but that this does not mark a success. He explained: "The real story is that the future relationship talks will be the big problem ahead. "The British are very unclear about what they want, or what to ask for in the future relationship. "The EU will be much tougher than the British realise, according to several top officials I’ve spoken to." Mr Grant later added: "EU officials worry the UK side is in cloud-cuckoo land if they think they can achieve a cherrypicking bespoke deal better than that given to Norway or Canada. "Reaching agreement on a divorce settlement will be ten times easier than on the future trading relations."

He pointed out that even Mrs Merkel, during the European Council meeting this week, admitted the second stage of Brexit talks will be "undoubtedly more difficult than the first phase". Mr Grant believes that Theresa May will eventually try to ask for a "Canada-Plus deal" - replicating the benefits of the EU's free trade deal with Canada, but with added talks on the services market.