Deal Delayed by Detail Doldrums

Fury at delay horror

The deadlocked nuts and bolts of the May administration's major foreign-policy own goal have been kicked down the road in a possible U-turn.

With characteristic bulldog bravery, the UK government has refrained from criticising the various snubs and insults the country has received from its much larger and more powerful negotiating partner.

The May administration has accepted without demur the timetable imposed by the other side, while proclaiming that nothing has changed and that only a few minor details remain to be thrashed out, such as when, where and how.

It is thought that there is also a measure of issue-oriented unresolvitude on the question of who can do what to whom with whose what.

There are signs in Britain that the will of the people, which was originally against the arrangement, is shifting against the arrangement. However, both governments agree that the will of the rabid orange head-tribble must take priority.

As a show of obedience, the UK recently went to the lengths of dispatching Liam Fox and a team of non-negotiators to demonstrate understanding of the fact that no trade deal is yet on the table.