Few could have predicted that less than six months after Johnson left 10 Downing Street, all the heated trade war rhetoric would be a distant memory, with the UK and the EU reaching a remarkable post-Brexit trade rules compromise in Northern Ireland. . .

Private conversations with over 12 UK and EU officials, politicians and diplomats show how Brexit completely changed after Johnson left – and how an “unholy trinity” of obscure civil servants in a dark basement in Brussels will revolutionize the UK’s relationship with the EU.

Their efforts were aided by an incredible sequence of political events in London: not least the unexpected conversion of Liz Truss, and then the spectacular rise to power of the “realist” Rishi Sunak. Even the likeable figure of British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley will play his part in overcoming the controversy that has sprung up since 2016.

After the official departure of the controversial Boris from the post of prime minister, the mood between London and Brussels changed significantly for the better. Mrs. Truss, with her personal connections, was eager to bridge the gap that had opened with continental Europe, although her foreign policy in the UK quickly put her on the sidelines.

But the emergence of Sunak in 10th place amid warnings of a looming recession in the UK has given new impetus to the talks. An EU official said that the mood had further improved and that talks with London had become “much more constructive”.

David Lidington, former Deputy Prime Minister Theresa May who played a key role in past Brexit negotiations, describes Mr Sunak as “globally minded” rather than “ultra-nationalist” because he believes Britain should have “reasonable friendly relations”. and responsible relations” with Brussels, although it is now outside the EU.

The British official believes that the new prime minister’s reputation as a pragmatist gave the British negotiating team “an opportunity to start over.”

Mr. Sunak’s slow decision-making and painstaking attention to detail, despite criticism in London, have proved helpful in allaying EU concerns about the new regime. EU leaders “watched him closely, listened to what he had to say and were ready to trust him and see how things were going,” Mr. Lidington said.