Discussions in Brussels over the UK’s continued membership of the EU were supposed to wrap up when leaders sat down to what Donald Tusk’s aides called an “English breakfast” on Friday morning.
EU Council President Tusk cooks up an “English breakfast” meeting to help Cameron to campaign for a ‘yes’ vote in the Brexit referendum.
— fiona olivier (@fifiotoole) February 18, 2016
There, went Downing Street’s dream scenario, the deal could be signed, backs could be patted, and – who knows? – some baked beans could be eaten. Or maybe even a sausage.
As difficulties emerged around the negotiating table, however, the prospect of an amicable fry-up faded. The English breakfast, it seemed, would become an English brunch.
#brexit that english breakfast turning to brunch. 1100 start tomorrow for leaders, say germans
— Ian Traynor (@traynorbrussels) February 18, 2016
Or, as some wits had it, a “Brexit brunch”.
But even that was optimistic. On Friday morning the planned croissants, melon and mimosas were dumped in favour of an “English lunch”, with Preben Aaman, spokesman for the European council, announcing:
"English lunch" now scheduled for 14h30. Tusk @eucopresident & @JunckerEU continue second round of bilateral consultations on #UKinEU
— Preben Aamann (@PrebenEUspox) February 19, 2016
Perhaps it was Aamann’s quotation marks. Many on Twitter saw the funny side.
That well-known meal: an English lunch #Brexit
— Sally Newall (@sally_newall) February 19, 2016
An "English lunch" #Brexit #englishlunch pic.twitter.com/5SPdh34XQz
— Seraphina (@WestTwelve82) February 19, 2016
Some suggested the delayed meal was a deliberate diplomatic ploy. Though, according to European journalists, perhaps not the smartest one.
The threat of an English meal seems to be keeping them talking.
— Brian Groom (@GroomB) February 19, 2016
#Euco will serve a 'British Lunch' today. If that's the way @david_cameron tries to seduce us, I'm afraid a #Brexit is near...
— Stefan de Vries (@stefandevries) February 19, 2016
Then came the announcement that the “English lunch” had been delayed, first to 2:30pm and then to the decidedly un-English hour of 3:30pm, with rumours it might be held as late as 4pm. Which basically meant it had morphed once again – into afternoon tea. Or, as Sky’s Faisal Islam had it: “Ta ra tea.”
English breakfast --> Brexit brunch --> Leave Lunch --> and now a Ta ra Tea
— Faisal Islam (@faisalislam) February 19, 2016
Thoughts were with those in the kitchen.
I imagine the European Council kitchen staff are losing it right now... #EUCO https://t.co/B1hefaceNk
— Imelda Flattery (@Imeldaflattery) February 19, 2016
The European council decided 4pm was the point at which lunch could no longer be called lunch and should instead be called by the ominous-sounding “English meal”. Perhaps happily, it swiftly became dinner.
#EUCO meal row latest - No10 source: "Talk of dinner is just because Council don't think you can serve lunch after 4pm". It's come to this.
— Tom Newton Dunn (@tnewtondunn) February 19, 2016
Legitimate concerns were raised about what had happened to all the unserved food.
I like to imagine that somewhere in Justus Lipsius is a room full of breakfast, lunch, tea and soon supper, sitting uneaten on hot plates.
— Isabel Hardman (@IsabelHardman) February 19, 2016
Many wondered where it would end.
English breakfast ✖️
— Jim Taylor (@jimtaylor1984) February 19, 2016
English lunch ✖️
English '4pm meal'??
This #EUSummit can only end with the English 3am kebab and chips
At some point, the EU leaders are going to just give up and order a late night pizza with stuffed crust.
— Isabel Hardman (@IsabelHardman) February 19, 2016
For one woman, there was only one thing for it: a trip to the chip shop.
After an EU breakfast became brunch then lunch, Angela Merkel was seen popping out for chips as EU talks continuehttps://t.co/1nbtXh8kv8
— ITV News (@itvnews) February 19, 2016
