It is vital for Britain’s future prosperity that we cut a trade deal with EU — and it would save pointless clashes with Brussels if Mr Barnier cottoned on to this

UK's fair trade

IT is vital for our future prosperity that we cut a trade deal with Brussels that benefits Britain AND the rest of Europe.

So Brexit Secretary David Davis was dead right yesterday to call on the EU to start trade talks running “parallel” with our exit talks.

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After all, how can we settle our bill until we know what we’ll get in return?

As the EU sells us £240billion of goods every year — £96billion more than we sell them — a free-trade deal is in their interests, too. However much that infuriates EU bosses.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has been throwing his weight around because he’s worried that he’ll cop flak from the other 27 states if we have a decent deal before leaving.

He’s also panicking about losing face if the EU goes back on its original claim that there would be no trade talks until the multi-billion-pound bill is settled.

One problem with that: he needs our settlement cash, having admitted he will have an “explosive” political situation on his hands if the EU is forced to stop programmes bankrolled by us.

So, despite doom and gloom predictions by Remoaners, Britain has a decent hand to play.

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And, as seen with last week’s release of the first of Mr Davis’s Brexit documents, Britain is ready to make a success of the divorce for both sides.

It would save a lot of pointless clashing if Mr Barnier also cottoned on to this.

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Right and bong

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OUR democracy is symbolised by our Parliament — and Big Ben’s bongs are its heartbeat.

Yet bureaucrats didn’t even think silencing the world’s most iconic clock was worth flagging up to ministers, senior MPs and the Lords Speaker.

Of course the hearing of workers carrying out repairs should be protected — but stopping the chimes for four years is heavy-handed.

Melvyn Lee, who looked after the clock for 30 years, says the situation is a “nonsense” as the bell’s tolling could easily be stopped and started.

Those in charge of the project should apply some good old-fashioned common sense — ring any bells?

Raising alarm

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THE generosity of the millions of Brits who donate to charity does not extend to swelling the coffers of fraudsters.

Yet it turns out that many charities are surprisingly lax when it comes to protecting their backers’ bank details.

They happily sell our data to third-party companies — but don’t reckon it’s worth investing in technology and training to stop crippling hacks.

After the outcry over the cyber-attack on the NHS in May, there’s no excuse for charities not to be better prepared.