WITH everything that has gone on in 2020 something that could easily have dropped to the bottom of everyone's thoughts was the long running saga, Brexit.

A reminder where we are. In January (yes that feels like six years ago not six months) we left the European Union and began a one year transition period.

Basically legally we had left. But in reality, in practical terms, that doesn't happen until January 2021.

This year was supposed to be about reaching a trade deal we were told but here we are, in July, with no news.

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On Friday EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said a deal looked "at this point unlikely" while his British counterpart, David Frost, appeared a little more optimistic saying "considerable gaps" remained in the areas of fishing rights and post-Brexit competition rules.

For those wanting no deal this will seem good news, but others warn it is crucial we have a trade deal with the world's largest trading bloc, and are desperate for the certainty a deal would bring.

Often with the EU these things go to the wire so it wouldn't be a surprise to see that happen again.