[LatteLazy]

I think you're exactly correct. I don't know whether the EU always knew but decided to maintain the pretence that progress might happen or if its slowly dawned on them that the UK isn't serious about a deal. But I think they have mostly realised. Something about the lack of interest or initiative on their side, it's like watching a resigned spouse who knows they can't make it work if the other spouse doesn't want to...

From a strategic point of view, I have to give it to the brexiteers. Parliament would never have voted for no deal. So they manoeuvred carefully to a point where it was the default outcome and then just didn't avoid it. It shows how naive the remain side (my side) have been. "surely no one would intentionally ram an iceberg, he must really believe we can turn on a penny at the last moment?" asked the sane 49% of the crew as the captain steadfastly refused to change course...