No wonder Johnson wants to be seen raising the Brexit stakes! In every other respect he and his "Blue Wall" Tories are looking a little unwell, not least because of the total mess they've made of their Covid policy. Yes, they just can't get anything right!

    So allowing the media to speculate on whether there is going to be all-out "war" (of words!) - with the EU over fishing, or the border in the Irish Sea, is a very convenient distraction. And an ideal flag-waving occasion for Johnson, Gove and "Lord" Frost to show their enthusiasm for defending a (dead) British Empire...

    Speaking on Radio 4, Environment Secretary, George Eustice even said that the EU is "in denial about what an independent country looks like"... So apparently Brexit Britain is going to provide that lesson to the rest of Europe, because after all, "they need us more than we need them..."Which is not exactly true. Britain sends 43% of its exports to the EU, but relies on the EU for 51% of its imports which are currently tariff-free! Finding alternative export markets among poorer non-EU countries is just not a proposition, especially in today's climate. As for essential EU imports, they'll become much more costly after Brexit - if there's no deal.

    However, Eustice and the other Brexit-puppets have obediently explained that yes, 40% tariffs on beef or Welsh lamb exported to the EU were fine! Which is what the famous World Trade Organisation terms in the event of a "no-deal" would result in! British farmers might have a different view...

    Behind all this childish nationalist bluster, is of course the need to get a deal - which is what the capitalist class wants, above all. And yes, as even Brexiteers know, it would be ideal if there was a free trade zone with Europe (like before Brexit!), but 2nd best is a "Canada-like" deal. However, it's a bit late to get it, within their current timetable, so it's rather like wishing for the moon.

    But their peevishness has consequences for their shrinking economy... On Monday the pound fell by 1% against the US dollar (0.8% against the euro) - pushed down by the Financial Times report that the government intended to amend the Withdrawal Agreement, thus “Breaking international law”... Talks this Wednesday with EU officials coincide with the presentation of this new bill, which will further turn up the heat.

    But the Brexit patient is already quite feverish, so Boris and his fellow flag-wavers will have to find a way to cool her down, or risk a sharp slap on the wrist from their capitalist masters... Or worse.