'the bloc’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier told Mr Johnson to stop “pretending” to negotiate.'

It's been his intention all along, GagaJo. We are being thrown over a cliff by a madman. He's got to be mad; I can't find any other reason for what he is doing.

Remember, this is a man who didn't even really believe that we should leave the EU.

Sadly, there are still people who agree with him, swallow his lies and actually admire him. He is an incoherent buffoon. Never going to be admired for his oratory.

Didn't anyone see that he was bluffing ?? I said this months ago. ( rolls eyes )

Ive never trusted him and did not understand why people in the Conservative Party voted for him. I personally liked Rory Stewart, a measured man who actually thought before he spoke. What was the attraction of Mr Johnson?

Indeed - agreed with all above comments. He has made NO attempt whatsoever to 'negotiate' - just repeated, louder and louder, like a robot- 'we don't want the back stop' but providing no alternative whatsoever. That is NOT 'negotiating'.

He has made no attempt whatseover to negotiate as far as anyone can see, just another one of his lies, like yesterday's debacle. What a complete arse he is. And still, we get 'good old Boris' from his fan clubs who seem to have collectively lost their wits, a man interviewed on BBC this morning, fervent Brexiteer, an insulin dependant diabetic, when asked if he thought potential insulin shortages worried him? No, he thought it would be worth it. To die from diabetic complications. When you hear blind stupidity like that, one despairs of the future.

before dying - blindness, foot, leg amputations ...

Anyone who says that would be worth it must be plain stupid and totally devoid of empathy and love. What if it was his wife, or his granchild- would it be worth it too?

Do you HONESTLY believe Boris (well his team) is not negotiating behind the scenes?

Of course they are!

Stephen Barclay is off to see Barnier tomorrow.

And Simon Coveney, the Irish foreign minister, has been engaged in secret Brexit talks with senior members of Boris Johnson's government.

Mr Coveney said: 'Of course there are conversations, as you would expect, exploring concepts, what might work, what won't work.'

His comments, first reported by The Times, suggested that efforts to break the Brexit impasse are now stepping up a gear as the Halloween departure date draws ever closer.

42 days ...

Why are the negotiations secret Urm? Do you think that Johnson is doing a good job, honestly?

He is an appalling example of the worst of public school entitlement and insincerity. He is certainly not negotiating and is just wasting time on purpose. I think the idea is if shout loud enough for long enough you will get your own way.

He is a fantastic example of how the upper classes behave, riding roughshod over the views of many of the citizens of this country. I’m so glad that on his press tours ordinary folk are giving him a piece of their mind.

I’m ashamed that a person like this is so called representing the interests of this country!??

I think Gill57 that Boris is understandably keeping his cards very close to his chest. There have been so many leaks in the past (even from Cabinet members).

Talks are ongoing. People ARE working hard behind the scenes.

Do I think he’s doing a good job?

Yes - if he delivers Brexit.

Sorry I didn’t answer your first question Gill57.

Quite honestly I don’t know why those talks had (up until now) not been reported on or broadcast.

Perhaps it’s because the DUP’s feathers would be ruffled? They are, after all, trying to sort out a way around the backstop issue which is highly sensitive.

Perhaps though, where there’s a will, (none so far but the clock is ticking) there’s a way?

What do you think?

Thanks for the straight answer Urm, even if I don't agree with you! I don't though think that he is keeping his cards close to his chest because of leaks, I think he does not have an agreement in mind, he is going to go to the wire, blame the EU and then the sh*t will hit the fan in this country. He is incompetent and unfit for office and patently out of his depth, not quite the good fun he thought it would be being PM, especially as he is only there through another load of deception and lies, pretending to be a Brexit supporter just to oppose his pal DC. Personally, I am thankful for those brave enough to leak information which will affect me and my family, information like operation Yellowhammer that Ms Leadsom stated should not be shown as it may frighten us.

It seems that Johnson is trying to find a way around the backstop, which are the so called “secret” documents submitted to the EU.

It isn’t a new WA

I think tomorrow it will be thirty days since BJ promised Angela Merkel that he would present his written proposals in thirty days time. Perhaps that's why this bit of paper has been sent.

Well Gill57 thank you for such a pleasant reply. It’s good to talk - we don’t agree, but we CAN ask & respond accordingly.
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Fiddling while the UK burns

Remainers, you mean? That's what they have done for three years - fiddling democracy by any means so we stay in the corrupt EU.

day6 yawn

The best thing that can happen is that Boris annoys the EU so much that they throw us out on Oct 31st and there will be nothing that the Remainers can do about it.

Talks are ongoing. People ARE working hard behind the scenes

Indeed Urmstongran Of course they are. Since when have government negotiations for anything been open to all? Never.

What Barnier and co do not like is a British PM who has laid his cards on the table.

The EU holds the rest of the pack. They have to play theirs - and now they have a UK ultimatum too, thank goodness. Well played Boris!

If May had been as straightforward we wouldn't have wasted three years begging for crumbs from the EU table.

Boris is loathed by Remainers because at last someone has taken the bull by the horns. He is a breath of fresh air for Leavers and the UK.

Nice reply Gill57 Your posts have a similar affect on me too, it has to be said.

Wow quizqueen! That’s certainly one way of looking at it.

However, I truly believe Boris will get ‘a’ deal. Perhaps only a few tweaks to TM’s deal, but with 31 October looming, enough to get it through the HoC.

I’ve always hoped so.

I’m a Leaver but quite honestly, the vote was so marginal, I was always happy to think of a compromise.

Not all to suit Leave. Not all to suit Remain.

A bit of both. Surely that’s really what a compromise is - neither side ‘happy’? But the MP’s on both sides rejected TM’s WA.

I did always think it was the best way forward. Time to build bridges really I suppose.

Quizqueen I am a remainer but there is part of me that wishes for no deal because I want to see the brexiteers own the chaos they have caused. When the jobs start to go, particularly in the industrial areas that voted heavily to leave, there will be no sympathy from me. You voted for it - get over it.

That just seems vindictive Framilode

As a Leaver, I’d have been judged harshly for having such a cavalier attitude!
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