A big speech from Barnier today - setting out clearly the EU's view of how talks with the UK are proceeding. To reassure member states. Play the PR game. Annoy London a bit. With this message... https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_20_1553

This bit amused me - so high-minded and thoroughly unrealistic. Not using the livelihoods of those working in fishing as a bargaining chip... ha

The heart of the Barnier / EU argument - the UK is not being honest

This point has really never been adequately addressed by London. Barnier inevitably lays it on a bit thick about UK wanting benefits without commitments (why not? its a negotiation) but the level playing field really is crucial to the EU

Ending with specific discussion on Ireland, but also this seemingly again targeted at the UK in explaining the barriers to come.

So will there be a response from the UK government, beyond the regular journalist briefings? The EU is skilled at this kind of speech, to put pressure on the other side while keeping unity. We await to see any kind of response. /end