Brexit - the design of the camel

THE United Kingdom declared its intention to leave the European Union (EU) at the end of March 2017, leaving two years for negotiations to be completed. Very little of substance has been achieved so far, probably because Europe takes its holidays in July and August.

Ever visited Paris in August? The French have gone for the month and Mediterranean beaches are a sea of German politicians (what they do with their towels is unknown). France and Germany are the two key players on the EU side, so, combined with Theresa May's walking holiday in the Alps, Brexit has advanced at a snail's pace.

Some unlucky politicians were left behind to start negotiations and report to their masters. But, the eventual deal is not negotiated by countries on the EU side, rather by the unelected (and unscrutinised) EU Commission, which claims to represent all members. The UK is still a member and nobody here recalls being consulted on their right to talk about us.