Brexit bites: what Britain leaving means in real life

As the British-EU negotiations draw theatrically towards a close, we analyse both the political posturing and the practical consequences of any deal - or none

Politicians, businesses and the wider public have been left guessing as to whether a trade deal will be reached at all.

Barry Andrews laughed awkwardly as he delivered the opening remarks of a webinar organised to discuss the future of Ireland, Britain and the EU’s relationship on Thursday.

“By this stage we had hoped we would have a deal when we planned this webinar a few months ago,” the Fianna Fáil MEP told his online audience.

Neither Andrews, nor the Renew Europe political grouping which organised the event, could be blamed for getting their timing wrong.