As Brexit begins, the British face a Europe with far more at stake

Simon Tilford, deputy director of the pro-EU, London-based Centre for European Reform, said British officials are “naive” because they don’t realise their demands are seen across the continent as an example of “egregious free riding.” 

“It would appear that they realise they can’t have their cake and eat it. But it’s wrong to say that the British government understands now what is possible and what isn’t,” Tilford said. “They’re still much too optimistic about the amount of leverage Britain has in this process, and the amount of wiggle room the other side has.”

In particular, Tilford said, British leaders underestimate just how much of an incentive their European counterparts have to ensure Britain doesn’t walk away with an attractive deal that would contribute to EU disintegration.