Quote Originally Posted by Mike T View Post
Surely, when it comes down to it, we - us and them - will be signing a contract - each side will have to be open about what they expect and what they are agreeing to - there will be no secrets. May may as well be open from the start. The idea that we can "fool" them with secrecy seems pretty insulting to their intelligence.
I understand your point Mike. But the EU rules actually stop them disclosing their position.

From our perspective, the current UK Govt have been stitched up a little by Cameron not having done any preparation for a Leave vote. So they are consulting and not in a position to present a plan.

The pressure for a plan is premature as that will come on or after article 50 is triggered.

I expect it to be fairly basic along the lines of:

We will leave the EU.
We will leave the EEA and Customs Union.
We will seek to maintain free trade with the EU/EEA during the process and if time is against us we will seek an extension through the WTO to the current trading arrangement (of say 2 years) in order to finalise such as deal if the EU/EEA are happy to pursue that.
We will seek to engage with some of the pan European organisations as we do as members of the EU, but from outside of the EU, where feasible and in the best interests of all parties.
We will seek to maintain the best of relations with all members of the EU and play a continued major roll in the security of the region.

I can't imagine it will be a million miles away from that.

I then expect the EU top work with us towards that. The sticking point may be the free trade, but it would be shooting themselves in the foot and if they really want to do that, it would be a shame, but we'd be fine.