Brexit divorce bill (part 94) - I'd like to know...

[Platypus]

I've not understood why (says the EU) it's for the UK to do the sums and present what it thinks is correct, rather than the EU doing the sums and saying "here, this is what you owe and why".

Can someone please explain this to a thicko like me?

[SueEllen]

Both sides need to do their own figures. Then negotiate and meet somewhere in the middle.

After all it is a negotiation.

Edited to say - I guess you haven't worked with Europeans? In general they aren't confrontational so you can say your bit.

[barrydidit]

I've not understood why (says the EU) it's for the UK to do the sums and present what it thinks is correct, rather than the EU doing the sums and saying "here, this is what you owe and why".

Can someone please explain this to a thicko like me?

The Germans asked the Spanish to work out the numbers. The Spanish said they would do it tomorrow.

[DaveB]

I've not understood why (says the EU) it's for the UK to do the sums and present what it thinks is correct, rather than the EU doing the sums and saying "here, this is what you owe and why".

Can someone please explain this to a thicko like me?

Because the EU did it originally and the UK told them to bugger off, but didn't present what they think the figure should be.

[sal]

I've not understood why (says the EU) it's for the UK to do the sums and present what it thinks is correct, rather than the EU doing the sums and saying "here, this is what you owe and why".

Can someone please explain this to a thicko like me?

Because the UK didn't like the estimates provided by the EU, but acknowledged that there should be some sort of "divorce bill", yet failed to provide even an estimate of how big it is supposed to be.

The Germans asked the Spanish to work out the numbers. The Spanish said they would do it mañana.

FTFY

[woohoo]

I've not understood why (says the EU) it's for the UK to do the sums and present what it thinks is correct, rather than the EU doing the sums and saying "here, this is what you owe and why".

Can someone please explain this to a thicko like me?

Because the EU is being a big dafty. Anything to have a winge and paint the British in a bad light. They know the guardian will jump on it and bash the British, the Spiegel etc will make out its the British being awkward. Check out the comments on their articles, nasty.

A deal will be done and the EU will paint itself as the one that came to the rescue and god help any other country leaving the EU.

[sasguru]

Hence Barnier asking for clarity today.
The British "position papers" have been a masterpiece of obfuscation. That would be fine if there was time but there isn't.
Mind you I'm beginning to doubt that the Tories actually want a reasonable settlement with the EU.
They see a once in a lifetime opportunity to reshape Britain as a mini US - the economic pain will blamed on the EU.

[woohoo]

Because the UK didn't like the estimates provided by the EU, but acknowledged that there should be some sort of "divorce bill", yet failed to provide even an estimate of how big it is supposed to be.




FTFY

Hah the estimates of between 40 and 100 billion. Nuts.

[OwlHoot]

Hence Barnier asking for clarity today.

The British "position papers" have been a masterpiece of obfuscation. That would be fine if there was time but there isn't.

Mind you I'm beginning to doubt that the Tories actually want a reasonable settlement with the EU.
They see a once in a lifetime opportunity to reshape Britain as a mini US - the economic pain will blamed on the EU.

But how the flipping hell can a figure be given for this so-called divorce bill before every Brexit detail has been agreed?

It's like going to a restaurant and demanding the bill before the meal has started and anything has even been ordered.

[BlasterBates]

The EU have actually clearly stated they should simply pay all the obligations they agreed to, nothing more, nothing less. They're waiting for a yay/nay.

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/site...ement_en_1.pdf

This is actually a very simple negotiation but the British government ministers are as thick as pig sh*t