Some myths need to be cleared up about the reported £61 billion “divorce bill” that Brussels hopes to force Britain to pay before its departure. This is not simply political posturing on behalf of the sclerotic EU: it is a very weak opening negotiating move. Whenever the other side opens with a “this is going to hurt” punitive demand for a hugely inflated settlement, lawyers know that the real figure is going to be a great deal less.
Especially when you are dealing with an organisation as corrupt and as unwilling to be forensically investigated as the EU itself. Some reports have suggested that Theresa May will settle with the EU for a fraction of the amount demanded. Maybe for less than £4 billion – about half the annual contribution that Britain currently pays to the EU.
