Add Category
Updated
Breakups can be brutal — a phone call, or maybe in person, with the old standby excuse of 'it's not you, it's me'.
This one came in a hand-delivered letter.
And the words were carefully chosen — given this relationship's been solid for more than 40 years.
"Engage". "Respect". "Cooperation".
The British Prime Minister wanted to let Europe down gently.
But even her conciliatory tone didn't help a clearly disappointed European Union Council President hide his disappointment.
"What can I add," Donald Tusk said, after holding the six-page letter aloft for the media.
"We miss you already. Thank you. Goodbye."
It was enough to have 'remainers' holding back the breakup tears.
Author JK Rowling tweeted after seeing the European's reaction:
So, at the crucial moment, both sides have offered a warm shoulder and a kind word.
Now it gets tough.
Ms May wants Britain and the EU to agree to the terms of the departure and what the future relationship will look like at the same time.
What kind of trade agreement can they reach? And how freely will people be able to move from Europe to Britain?
The EU wants to sort out the divorce first — before it starts thinking how it can stay happy in this new relationship.
And Ms May has other worries — a United Kingdom that is far from united.
Forty eight per cent of Britons didn't vote for Brexit. And Scotland is threatening to leave the United Kingdom in its bid to stay in the EU.
And all of this with a tight timetable.
They've got two years to get this done, and despite the show of sadness, the EU is determined to make sure it gets the best deal possible for the remaining 27 members.
It took Canada seven years to do a trade deal with the EU, and that was almost scuttled by a tiny outpost in Belgium.
What lies ahead for the UK is enormous. And no-one underestimates the task.
On Wednesday, though, there was room for a bit of sentimentality.
Topics: government-and-politics, federal-government, foreign-affairs, world-politics, united-kingdom
First posted