The Conversation (0)
Iana Murray
Nov 13, 2020
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As negotiations between the UK and the EU enter the final phase, one politician sounds a tad fed up about it all.
Michel Barnier, the EU’s lead negotiator sent out a hilariously petty tweet mocking the state of Brexit talks. The French politician is currently in London for trade negotiations.
“Short break from intense negotiations in London,” he captioned the post. “Went looking for level playing fields…”
The tweet was accompanied by a photo of Barnier at a (very level) football pitch in Regent’s Park. If only all playing fields were the same.
Short break from intense 🇪🇺🇬🇧 negotiations in London. Went looking for level playing fields... https://t.co/2X4jbygorI— Michel Barnier (@Michel Barnier) 1605194937
Barnier’s tweet quickly went viral, garnering laughs – and criticism from Brexiteers.
Some found his trolling pretty hilarious.
This is so funny. I thought it was a spoof. It’s brilliant https://t.co/5VjVwddB7x— Veggie PorkPie #FBPE #FBIW #TakeBackBritain #GTTO (@Veggie PorkPie #FBPE #FBIW #TakeBackBritain #GTTO) 1605199013
The poetic beauty of this is heartbreaking ... https://t.co/9eIxkqSHIH— Dr Simon Ubsdell (@Dr Simon Ubsdell) 1605198594
A high level political operative with a sense of humour. I have a new found respect for Mr Barnier!! https://t.co/YHSFtaHlBI— Matthew Finerty Bham (@Matthew Finerty Bham) 1605257464
Others decried the state of the government.
@MichelBarnier there are loads of level playing fields in the UK, you just won't find any in Westminster— Enilorac (@Enilorac) 1605195392
@MichelBarnier When we get a decent government, may we please rejoin? Asking for the millions of us who didn't vot… https://t.co/3xxR9skRgC— Victorian House 💙 (@Victorian House 💙) 1605195229
It isn’t an endless negotiation without some goalposts to move.
Watch out for English badgers. They are notorious for moving goalposts. ~AA https://t.co/9BKaWCYaad— Best for Britain (@Best for Britain) 1605198205
Barnier’s top level trolling follows a similar shady post from Donald Tusk in 2018. The EU council president jokingly posted a photo of himself offering a piece of cake to Theresa May, a reference to accusations of the UK “wanting to have its cake and eat it”.
The current round of discussions is set to end today, with another round of trade talks due to begin in Brussels next week.
Perhaps Barnier will prefer the playing fields in Belgium?