London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Mar 27, 2026

Boris Johnson 'trump card' in EU talks exposed – very different to predecessor Theresa May

BORIS JOHNSON's trump card in trade talks on a post-Brexit agreement with the EU is the fact he has a "proper negotiator" representing the UK according to Iain Dale.

Mr Dale told Express.co.uk David Frost is a very different kettle of fish to Olly Robbins, who represented the UK during Theresa May's tenure as Prime Minister. The broadcaster also praised Mr Johnson for not bowing to the European Union's demands during negotiations.

Mr Dale said: "I do think that he has displayed a very different negotiating stance to that of the Theresa May government.

"He doesn’t bow down to every single demand, he sticks to his position.

"I think the EU are beginning to know that and actually respect it.

"We have got a proper negotiator, that is maybe Boris’ trump card in David Frost.

Mr Dale said: "I do think that he has displayed a very different negotiating stance to that of the Theresa May government.

"He doesn’t bow down to every single demand, he sticks to his position.

"I think the EU are beginning to know that and actually respect it.

"We have got a proper negotiator, that is maybe Boris’ trump card in David Frost.

"He is a very different kettle of fish than Olly Robbins was it has to be said if we all remember who Olly Robbins was."

During the same interview, Iain Dale highlighted the coronavirus pandemic as a potential key factor in Britain and the European Union agreeing on post-Brexit trade terms.

The political commentator predicted that there will be a bare bones trade deal between the UK and the European Union before the end of 2020.

Mr Dale told Express.co.uk there is an incentive for both sides to secure a deal before the transition period expires at the end of 2020.

Mr Dale said: "I am more hopeful that we will get a trade deal by the end of the year than I was a few months ago.

"I think coronavirus has helped in a bizarre sort of way because every economy in Europe is going to be hit by coronavirus, particularly those in northern Europe and of course our own.

"So the last thing I think anybody wants is a deal not to be done.

"There is an incentive on both sides to come to a deal.

"Yes, we have had all the bluster from the EU’s side Michel Barnier seems to be playing the same record he did drawing the withdrawal agreement talks but in the end I think there will be some sort of deal.

"Whether it is a full trade deal I am not so sure I think it may be a sort of bare bones skeleton deal because there isn’t a lot of time left to come to an agreement."

He added: "If it comes to the point where there isn’t a deal it is not going to be the biggest disaster in the world, but I don’t think it will come to that."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Jaguar Land Rover Halts Production at UK Plant Amid Supplier Disruption
UK Police Reverse Position, Confirm Arrests Will Resume for Palestine Action Protests
UK Small Businesses Face Europe’s Steepest Cost Pressures, New Survey Reveals
US Envoy Urges UK to Proceed with King’s Visit Amid Diplomatic Sensitivities
FTSE 100 Drops Over One Percent as Middle East Tensions Weigh on Markets
UK CO2 Plant Set to Reopen as Authorities Move to Safeguard Supplies Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Urges Stronger Defence Investment as He Questions Allied Naval Capabilities
New COVID Variant Detected in UK Raises Concerns Over Vaccine Effectiveness
FTSE Russell Moves to Standardise Free-Float Rules for UK and International Listings
HBO Max Launches in UK and Ireland, Marking Major Step in Global Streaming Expansion
UK Signals Readiness to Seize Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Vessels in Escalation of Sanctions Enforcement
Escalating Middle East Conflict Seen as Major Threat to UK Economic Stability
Early Challenges Mark Prince Harry and Meghan’s Australia Visit
UK Government Rejects Cover-Up Claims After Theft of Former PM Aide’s Phone
Cyprus Opens Strategic Talks with UK Over Sovereign Base Areas
UK Faces Risk of Sharp Inflation Surge Despite Stable Pre-Crisis Figures
UK Police Arrest Two Over Suspected Antisemitic Arson as Iran Link Investigated
UK Inflation Holds at Three Percent Ahead of Oil Price Shock from Iran Conflict
UK Fuel Prices Face Upward Pressure as Global Oil Trends Raise Cost Outlook
Girlguiding UK Sets September Deadline for Membership Policy Change Affecting Trans Participants
Germany and UK Accelerate Wind Power Expansion to Strengthen Energy Security
UK Moves to Ban Cryptocurrency Donations to Political Parties Over Foreign Influence Concerns
UK and Turkey Finalise Major Air Defence Agreement Worth Billions
Apple Introduces Mandatory Age Verification for iPhone Users in the UK
Diverging Views Emerge Over Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Appearance
Trump Signals Frustration with UK Leadership Amid Diverging Approaches to Iran Conflict
UK Government Takes Control of Hunterston B as Landmark Nuclear Decommissioning Begins
UK Public Inflation Expectations Jump Sharply in March, Raising Pressure on Bank of England
UK Ministers Warn Expanded North Sea Drilling Would Deepen Exposure to Global Energy Volatility
Delayed UK Defence Investment Plan Leaves Suppliers Under Severe Financial Strain
Can Iran Strike the UK? Assessing the Real Military Threat as Conflict Escalates
Sanctioned Iranian Banker Linked to Luxury Marbella Villa Through UK Corporate Structure
Casey Bloys Navigates HBO Max UK Launch, Paramount Integration and Industry Buzz Over Netflix Meeting
Iran Conflict Sparks Sharp Turbulence in UK Mortgage Market, Reaching Pandemic-Era Disruption Levels
Major Donor Urges University of Kentucky to Reconsider Mitch Barnhart’s Post-Retirement Role
United Kingdom Moves to Lead International Effort to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
UK Police Investigate Targeted Attack on Jewish Ambulance Vehicles
UK Police Investigate Targeted Attack on Jewish Ambulance Vehicles
Senior UK Advocate Criticises Barnhart Retirement Appointment, Calls for Reconsideration
UK Finds No Evidence of Direct Iranian Threat to Britain, Says Prime Minister Starmer
Assessing Iran’s Strike Capability and the UK’s Readiness Amid Rising Tensions
NATO Unable to Confirm Iran’s Role in Strike on UK-US Base as Tehran Denies Involvement
University of Kentucky’s Youling Xiong Receives SEC Faculty Achievement Award for 2026
Trump Highlights Satirical Portrayal of UK Leadership Amid Talks with Prime Minister Starmer on Iran Conflict
Trump Highlights Satirical Portrayal of UK Leadership Amid Talks with Prime Minister Starmer on Iran Conflict
UK Fuel Prices Surge Toward Crisis Levels as Experts Warn of Further Sharp Increases
UK Fuel Prices Surge Toward Crisis Levels as Experts Warn of Further Sharp Increases
Duchess of Sussex Secures ‘As Ever’ Trademark Rights in Australia Ahead of High-Profile Visit
UK Reaffirms Security as Officials Reject Claims of Immediate Iranian Missile Threat
Rising Middle East Tensions Spark ‘Trumpflation’ Debate Over Impact on UK Households
×