Breaking up is always hard to do and Brexit is no different

It is difficult to read the daily deluge of headlines on our Brexit negotiations without a creeping sense of despair. We crave certainty but have confusion. We want unity of purpose but have division. The EU has proposed the United Kingdom becomes disunited. Some Remainers have been emboldened to campaign to stop Brexit. The calls for a second referendum to overturn the results of the first are getting daily louder. Britain is isolated in Europe, fearing humiliation — or worse. This is our darkest hour.

But actually, we should not despair. Things are not unexpectedly difficult. There was no scenario where the Brexit negotiations would be straightforward. The UK and EU27 have been becoming progressively more integrated over the past four decades. Even with goodwill on both sides and both parties wanting to make it work, it would be complex — and the goodwill is rather lacking. Some in the EU want the UK to be seen to suffer.