Boris Johnson sets course for the hardest possible Brexit deal

Editor’s note: this article has been updated to include the speeches by Boris Johnson and Michel Barnier

BRITAIN FORMALLY left the European Union on January 31st, the date fixed by the recently ratified withdrawal treaty. The immediate effect was minimal, as Britain simply moved into an 11-month transition period during which almost nothing will change. But at the end of December Brexit is due to happen in full. And hopes for a harmonious start to negotiations on a new relationship have already been dashed.