Donald Tusk tells Theresa May to chuck Chequers

The government weren’t expecting a dramatic breakthrough in the Brexit talks at Salzburg. But they were hoping for some more positive mood music, for some language that would help Theresa May get through party conference. But Donald Tusk has just issued a broadside against Chequers:

‘The suggested framework for economic co-operation will not work, not least because it is undermining the single market.’

Tusk’s brutal language makes it that much harder for Theresa May to maintain that the EU is engaging with Chequers and her plans for a European Traded Goods Area and a Facilitated Customs Arrangement. There’ll now be huge pressure on her – including from within her own Cabinet to change tack, to dump Chequers in favour of a more Canada-style approach.

Tusk’s comments are a particular blow to May because Chequers was, largely, sold to the Cabinet on the basis of its negotiability. But, right now, it doesn’t look very negotiable.