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Earlier this week, Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, and his entourage arrived in London. The short stay is intended to broker a deal with the UK on trade and security as the end of the transition period looms. Mr Barnier’s UK counterpart, David Frost, hosted the Frenchman at a private Downing Street dinner.

There is now less than six months before the status quo transition period is due to end.

Both sides have expressed concern about the lack of progress made.

A proportion of this year’s planned negotiations have already been set-back due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The meeting follows the abrupt ending to the first round of “accelerated” face-to-face talks last week.

Here, Mr Barnier complained about a perceived lack of respect and engagement from the UK Government.

Asked what would be on the agenda, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said: “They’re informal talks, so there is no published agenda, but you are fully aware of the range of issues that we need to reach agreement with the EU on.

“Discussions will cover everything from what the EU calls the level playing field, through to governance structures.”

In a transcript of last week’s interview between Mr Frost and Mr Barnier, the EU negotiator accused the UK of continuing to seek “the advantages of being a member state” but with the right to diverge on regulations.

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The 2016 referendum and process divided the country.

Certain political movements furthered the split.

When the Liberal Democrats last year, for example, pledged to revoke Brexit without a referendum, absolute furore ensued.

Many argued that ignoring those who voted for Brexit would push the country into a sorry state of affairs.

Last year, Tory backbencher, Philip Davies, went as far as to suggest then-Lib Dem leader Ms Swinson and her party had become an “establishment” in their political discourse.

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He told The Sun: “We all know the Liberal Democrats are neither liberal nor democratic but they have never admitted it so openly.

“Jo Swinson is clearly an establishment Westminster bubble stooge.

“The Lib Dems used to pride themselves on being the anti-establishment party of pavement politics.

“They now don’t even hide their contempt for voters and democracy.

“It isn’t a new leader they need, it is clearly a new Party name.”

Despite believing they appealed to a swathe of the country, the Lib Dems went on to suffer a resounding defeat in the 2019 general election.

Ms Swinson even lost her seat to the SNP by 149 votes.

She shortly after stood down as leader of the party.

Meanwhile, as the UK and EU attempt to strike a trade and security deal in London, Britain has begun looking outside the bloc to secure alliances and agreements.

Last week, Chancellor Rishi Sunak agreed to develop closer financial links between the UK and Switzerland.

The fresh boost saw Mr Sunak sign a joint commitment with his Swiss counterpart, Ueli Maurer, to work on a new international financial services agreement.

It was a positive development, claimed Treasury officials, who said the move proved the Government’s ambition for the UK to cement its role as an international financial centre once fully independent of Brussels next year.

The UK is also emerging as a partner in Asia.

Last month, Japan’s Foreign Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, and the UK’s trade minister, Liz Truss, started talks on an economic partnership to secure business continuity.

Tokyo reportedly wants to conclude trade talks with Britain quickly and by the end of July.

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