Inside Politics: Boris Johnson resumes anti-Brussels blame game

Politics, like the movie industry, is a deeply superficial business. We marvelled at the red carpet shenanigans and cringeworthy speeches at last night’s Bafta awards. But academy members who decide on the winners have admitted they don’t even watch most of the films they’re voting on. After all the red, white and blue shenanigans and cringeworthy speeches on Brexit night, Boris Johnson faces the prospect of watching over the dull details of a trade deal. Today, however, No 10’s leading man gets to put on a big performance – setting out his demands and his refusal to accept any more rules from Brussels. I’m Adam Forrest, and welcome to The Independent’s Inside Politics newsletter.

Our political correspondent Ashley Cowburn on what to look out for today:

Boris Johnson will use his first post-Brexit speech today to set out his desire for a Canada-style free trade agreement. But the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier will make a speech of his own in Brussels, demanding Britain signs-up to the bloc’s benchmarks on standards. Expect some urgent questions in the Commons on sentencing and early release after Sunday’s stabbing attack in Streatham, with the government expected to announce further changes to the way in which those convicted of terrorism offences are dealt with.

WHEN THE DEAL GOES DOWN (UNDER): Well, Brexit got done. Apparently. It doesn’t much feel like it this morning. Boris Johnson is threatening the EU and blustering his way into negotiations with no class and very little clarity. Same as it ever was, eh? The PM will demand a “Canada-style” deal (almost no tariffs on goods), and accept no alignment with EU standards and no role for the European Court of Justice as arbiter. And if Johnson can’t get that, he wants a deal “more like Australia’s” (a much looser arrangement with tariffs here, there and everywhere). Acting Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said the Australia-esque deal was basically “no deal in all but name” – a potential disaster for the economy. Irish premier Leo Varadkar advised the British government to tone down the “nationalist rhetoric”. Appearing on The Andrew Marr Show, he suggested deals get done when “red lines are turned pink”.

DONNIE MCTUSK: Nicola Sturgeon needs to send Donald Tusk a fine malt whisky and bespoke tartan kilt. Perhaps she already has. The former president of the European Council said he feels “very Scottish, especially after Brexit” – and claimed there is “empathy” in Brussels for the idea of an independent Scotland re-joining the EU. Foreign secretary Dominic Raab is not happy, claiming such comments were “rather irresponsible” and could encourage “separatist tendencies” in the EU. Speaking of potential betrayal, Dominic Cummings is in full paranoia mode. He is said to have amassed a “network of spies” working in restaurants across Westminster ready to report back if any No 10 aides are seen meeting “media mates”. The threat comes despite a teary, sentimental speech on Brexit night. One colleague compared Cummings crying to “that scene at the end of The Terminator 2 when Arnold Schwarzenegger says, “I know now why you cry””.

AUTOMATIC FOR THE PRISONER: The PM might have imagined today would dominated by his triumphant post-Brexit address, but there are events, dear boy, events to deal with. It has emerged that Sudesh Amman, the 20-year-old shot dead by police after he stabbed passers-by in Streatham, was automatically released from jail halfway through a sentence of just over three years for possession of a bomb-making manual. The government is set to outline further measures to toughen up the probation system, but there appears to be an element of desperation over the issue. A government source told The Times: “The PM ... is clear that something needs to change.” Johnson’s allies are showing little mercy. Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice tweeted the prime minister and home secretary Priti Patel with the message: “GET A GRIP & PROTECT US.”

BEGS THE QUESTION: Emily Thornberry is no shrinking violet. And she is not too proud to beg for endorsements. She has only nine of the required 33 nominations she needs from Constituency Labour Party groups across the country to get on the leadership contest ballot before a Valentine’s Day deadline. She used a Cardiff hustings event to plead desperately for some CLP love. “Why don’t we give me a chance to be involved in this debate? So please, would you just get on with it … Get on and nominate me.” Keir Starmer played it safe and tickled the lefty belly by saying he would retain the 2019 manifesto plan to increase tax for the top 5 per cent of earners. Lisa Nandy, meanwhile was hit by the utterly scandalous revelation she once met Tony Blair in 2016. The horror! The Sunday Times also revealed Nandy, while helping run her student newspaper at Newcastle University, once ranted in print: “THERE ARE NO FIT MEN AT THIS UNIVERSITY”, complaining about the number of “virgins”, “slimy b******s” and “geeks”. Admit it: you’re getting to like her, aren’t you?

MORE ALARMS AND MORE SURPRISES: Nigel Farage is now free to head off to America and delight Fox News viewers with his English accent and smoker’s chuckle, surely? Not a bit of it. Farage is staying put, keeping his Brexit Party gang together, and setting up a threatening think tank called “Brexit Watch”. He went on Marr and promised to “ring the alarm bell” if he thinks the government are getting the trade deal wrong. Which of course he will do. The alarm bell will be rung often and loudly. He also taunted Remainers by claiming they are now as swivel-eyed as his lot used to be. “Who are the fruitcakes and loonies now?” The head of one of the leading pro-EU campaign groups has promised not to “walk off the pitch” while others disband. Naomi Smith, chief executive of Best for Britain, said it was still worth fighting for close ties with the EU and predicted the opening of trade talks will “just be the start."

“Hey Britain. Heard you just became single. Welcome to the club!”

Brad Pitt tries his hand at Brexit punditry during his Bafta acceptance speech.

“Brexit is done! Brexit reflects deeply held views that the British enjoy governing themselves & are done surrendering their interests to the EU bureaucracy.”

Former Trump official John Bolton thinks we’ve done something pretty clever...

“British people will have to work somewhat harder than otherwise to earn somewhat less than otherwise. Britain has opted for lower growth before - the 1920s, the 1970s - and now they’re doing it again. Almost traditional, really.”

...while The Atlantic’s David Frum thinks we’ve done something pretty stupid.

Andrea Mammone, The Independent: As an EU citizen in the UK, I hope Brexit finally happening can mean an end to divisive rhetoric

Matthew Norman, The Independent: Andrew Neil’s attack on Horrible Histories shows many aren’t ready to laugh about Brexit just yet

Katy Balls, The Spectator: Why Australia-style deal is the new Brexit buzzword in government

Michael Tomasky, The New York Times: It’s 2020. Time for Democrats to ignore these two states