Hourglass for a Brexit deal is almost empty

This diplomatic dance has been going on for so long now that no one can be sure whether the music is still playing.

The respective sides need a minimum period of time to sign off new laws regardless of whether a deal is struck or not. At least that is the theory, but the last few months have taught us that all pre-conceived wisdom should be buried under a Euro mountain of salt.

Nevertheless, with Christmas and the New Year deadline fast approaching, the logistics of dragging this on are getting impossibly tight. Woe betide the hapless official who has to call MPs and Peers away from their turkey dinner back to Parliament for a Brexit vote.

Also for the umpteenth time, the States of Guernsey is assuring islanders that it is ready, it is waiting and it is prepared for all eventualities.

More than four years of build-up, coupled with the stage rehearsal of organising supplies during a pandemic, have hardwired in a confidence that, on these shores at least, we will cope.

Islands businesses who rely on the movement of goods in and out of the island are reminded that they too have a responsibility to be prepared.

Congestion on the roads to the Dover Strait and other ports could slow down some freight services.

In that light it is good to hear that the islands have a ‘layer’ of options available to help out with medical supplies and other vital goods, right the way through to calling in the army. It should not come to it but it would be foolish not to accept whatever ‘backstops’ are available.

That includes the ability for island freight to be fast-tracked in a priority lane around any queues at Portsmouth.

Over the coming days, despite dire warnings about disruption and price increases, it will be a relief to have some idea, after years of dithering, about what the foundations of the newly independent trading Britain might look like.