It'll be interesting to see what the 'divorce settlement' is finally going to be. So far I've seen £40 billion, £50 billion, £60 billion and only yesterday €100 billion.

Anyone would think the media are throwing out ever increasing figures in an attempt to unsettle people. But as if they'd do that eh?

The big figure is cynical manipulation no doubt at the behest of the UK government. We will end up paying the 60 billion originally mentioned (that apparently we were not going to pay) and May will dress it up as showing her strength in reducing it from nearer 100 billion. The money will not be a lump sum and never was to be, so the fact it's paid over time will also be a pretend success.

If the EU is expecting the UK to pay £60bn and no concessions then it is deluded - the problem is without the UK monies the EU can't function and it doesn't appear that any of the other countries want to stump up anymore to keep the thing on an even keel.

I would suggest this crack in the united front can be used to the UK's benefit during negotiations

May has put herself and her leadership above all else.

Unless you are certain of winning a battle, why the hell would you wind up you "enemies" before you go into "war".
The rhetoric used by May yesterday was reckless and it seems that perhaps she will do anything for 5 more years in the "big chair".
In the words of Allo, Allo, "you stupid woman".

She should be trying to find friends and allies in the EU and not hacking them off.
The job was hard enough already.

It worked for Thatcher and I can't see any benefit in being seen as an easy touch - the EU need to realise that they are not going to steam roller over us and get everything they want.

She is in a position where there are 27 to 1 so you have to be pretty tough when the odds are staked that far in favour of one side. The idea that you can befriend one or two leaders and it will sway the other 25/26 in ludicrous in my view.

As she has said "No deal is better than a bad deal"

Maybe 27 is the weakness of the opposition. They will all want different things to benefit themselves. We are only looking for one thing

With the rhetoric on both sides, "no deal" is looking more and more likely, especially with the French election and then the German election still to come, which will eat into the already short time scale.

The "no deal, is better than a bad deal" is likely to be tested.

The economy is already slowing and we're in for some of the sh*t that "project fear" was bangnig on about pre the referendum.

Of course they were only making things up so, everything will be just fine.

If anything goes wrong it'll be blamed on Johnny Foreigner rather than the decision to leave.

The UK should counter by withdrawing funding until after agreement is reached (they can sue if they wish)and until clean audited accounts are available and the countries in which money has disappeared, via alleged fraud, over the years make those losses good.

Like that would help ??
At the moment, we are still part of the EU and we have agreed payments until such time that a change is made.
What if the "divorce" takes 5 years ? are you suggesting that we should withdraw our contributions and, just for balance, what would you think if the Germans or French did the same or, if the EU stopped all the payments coming back our way ??

Great negotiating style, you could be Mrs May's advisor.
They haven't got a clue either !