The British machine is 'Getting its act together' on Brexit

Charles Grant, the director of the Centre for European Reform, which has a track record of predicting the next steps in Brexit talks, said the perception in Brussels of the British team has improved, and with it the chances of a deal to allow negotiations to move from separation to trade.

“EU officials say that British officials are being impressive, and guiding the politicians. The Treasury is more involved and that pleases them, because the Treasury is switched on,” Grant said in an interview. “May is more involved and that pleases them. The British machine is getting its act together.”

“Whatever May said to Tusk in Gothenburg appears to have impressed the EU side,” Grant said.

Tusk appeared to be building up expectations by tweeting on Wednesday evening: “With @MichelBarnier to prepare for my meeting on #Brexit with PM @theresa_may on Friday.”

If the December summit is a flop -- as the last one was -- it will be because of the Irish border issue, not the financial settlement, according to Grant. He predicts a compromise on Ireland, which will left vague enough to be acceptable.

“Britain will have to accept language that says the North will have some kind of special status with regulatory convergence with the Republic. It will be vague.”