Parliament wants to destroy the UK’s negotiating position

For onlookers it is astonishing to see the British establishment, commentators and a majority of MPs try to scuttle the negotiating position of their own country in its most important negotiations in living memory. Admittedly Iceland, my small country, has had its own share of fifth column interventions in times of crises. Still, it is heart-breaking for a Britophile to watch a country that has been a world leader in diplomatic strategy for centuries – a country that has persevered through existential challenges and achieved incredible things – turn against its fundamental interests.

How can anyone imagine, or try to convince others, that negotiating, while stating that not accepting a deal would be illegal, can result in an acceptable outcome for the UK? It is self-evident that in those circumstances the EU will dictate terms. The EU has no reason to compromise. It is, however, quite likely that it might only offer a ‘deal’ bad enough to be unacceptable, locking the UK within the EU.