Ahead of his arrival in Brussels, U.K. negotiator David Davis says “there should be no doubt” about British strategy.

The night before the formal start of Brexit talks, the U.K. put out a preview of its negotiators’ main message: “We are leaving the European Union.”

Shocker!

That Prime Minister Theresa May’s government felt compelled to reiterate that most basic intent underscores the chaos that has gripped U.K. politics since May and her Conservatives suffered an embarrassing defeat in national elections earlier this month. Before May and the Tories lost their majority, there was no doubt Brexit meant Brexit.

In a statement distributed to media on condition it not be published until 12:01 a.m., the U.K. government said: “The Brexit Secretary David Davis heads into tomorrow’s first official talks to leave the European Union on a mission to deliver on the will of the British people.”

And the statement seemed to chastize EU officials for saying in recent days they would be happy to see Britain remain a part of the bloc.

“Despite European leaders’ attempts to leave open the possibility of the U.K. remaining in the EU, Mr. Davis will make it clear that he is determined to achieve a Brexit deal that works for the whole of the U.K.,” the government said.

It was not clear who the U.K. government was trying to persuade more: the press, the public, the EU, or itself.

The emphasis on the “will of the British people” was particularly notable given the recent election results that seemed to make clear there is little consensus in Britain over Brexit. While a majority certainly voted to leave, May has faced some calls to soften her stance in negotiations, though it’s not clear how she might do so and still achieve the main objectives of leaving.

In the statement, the U.K. Department for Exiting the EU said: “The U.K. embarks on its historic negotiations to leave the European Union today as the first official Brexit talks get underway in Brussels. A U.K. team will travel to Belgium confident it can achieve a bold and ambitious deal that will work in the interest of the whole U.K.”

As has been the case throughout the run-up to the official talks, the main emphasis of the preview was on the U.K.’s desire to secure a future relationship with the EU.

The European Commission declined to comment.



Politico