Having endured a year listening to the squabbling monkeys, are the organ grinders finally sitting down together?

Johnson, Merkel, Macron and Morello, leaders of the four largest European economies, should have been locked in a room last Christmas, with instructions not to emerge until they have made a decision, yes or no on a trade deal.

All those UK businesses trading with the EU could then have prepared for whichever was decided, and saved the rest of us from nearly dying of boredom.

RODNEY BEST

Doncaster Road, Weymouth