L to R: UK trade negotiator David Frost, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU trade negotiator Michel Barnier, Brussels, Belgium, December 9, 2020 (Etienne Ansotte/European Commission/PA)

With the UK and the European Union on the verge of announcing a Brexit deal — 4 1/2 years after the 2016 referendum that narrowly supported Leave — I joined talkRADIO’s Mark Dolan to cut through the spin and explain the reality facing Britain in 2021.

Listen to Discussion from 5:06

While avoiding the damage of a No Deal, the terms of departure will still land a nasty blow on the UK economically, politically, and socially. I start the 11-minute chat with the prospect of a 4% relative drop in GDP and a possible recession, and move to Britain’s diminished influence in the world.

The UK separating from Europe on security and intelligence, although we maintain links, will make matters more difficult.

As for China and Russia, they both will welcome the weakening of the EU and of the UK — and will see this happening today….

As for relations with the Biden Administration, I would rather be in Dublin than London today.