As buoyant reports on Christmas Eve flooded local media to intimate that the UK and the European Union were close to clinching a post-Brexit trade deal, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson expected to deliver the news, sources later in the day poured cold water on the high hopes of an end to months of wrangling.
Despite the negotiations suggested as having "some hours to run", they became bogged down again on the key sticking point of fisheries, according to Government sources. Brits flocked to social media, their pent-up emotions erupting in Brexit-themes memes and jokes.
Some netizens wondered if Boris Johnson had deliberately timed the breakthrough in the talks to coincide with the holiday season, so that the deal would have a “cool name”.
D’you think they’re deliberately delaying the Brexit deal news until after midnight so they can go full ‘Good Friday Agreement’ on the name and make it sound real monumental and cool, like ‘the Christmas Eve Armistice’ or some shite
— Gerry McBride (@GerryMcBride) December 23, 2020
Brexing Day?
— Kenneth O'Brien (@mulliganohare) December 24, 2020
The Christmas Eve Bargain, come on
— SK (@suburbankid76) December 24, 2020
Bet you Boris will be out again with his Love Actually inspired signage.
— Eden (@Eden8424) December 24, 2020
Christmas Leave
— Shaun (@JoeHangups) December 24, 2020
Some poked fun at the future post-Brexit.
Users posted pics of a backlog of trucks stranded in Kent, captioning the footage “Sovereignty is coming”, in a reference to the iconic Coca-Cola Christmas advert showing Santa driving their branded truck.
Sovereignty is coming
— Graham Love (@glove931) December 22, 2020
Sovereignty is coming pic.twitter.com/8wKjj3ASxN
— Paul ( Paolo )Nixon (@PaoloNixon) December 23, 2020
Others on social media joked that a Brexit announcement might ruin their Christmas Eve, with the coverage of the announcement interfering with the BBC's planned Kung Fu Panda marathon, and leaving children disappointed.
Loads of kids will be upset when the Kung Fu Panda marathon is replaced by a Brexit press conference this morning 🥴
— terry charleton (@terrycharleton) December 24, 2020
We’ve got 30 minutes to announce a deal or the Kung Fu Panda marathon is at risk. pic.twitter.com/8pHqKYHZMI
— Duncan Weldon (@DuncanWeldon) December 24, 2020
Deal should respect Panda's schedule
— Dr. Manuel Portakal (@PortakalManuel) December 24, 2020
Panda wants to steal our fish.
— Quiff Boy’s little helper 🎄🎅🐝🏴 (@quiffboy) December 24, 2020
(Presumably to make maki sushi rolls with)
Well, fish has been a sensitive issue for French and English since ancient times #brexitdeal #brexit pic.twitter.com/V0jJyFJT0z
— Koen Vleminckx (@KoenVX) December 24, 2020
Some social media users were suspicious of the “imminent” post-Brexit deal with Brussels.
At last! My oven-ready #Brexit deal is finally done. #BrexitDeal pic.twitter.com/3XpkJrmllD
— Parody Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson_MP) December 24, 2020
While waiting for #Brexit, I had the time to do my special Christmas Eve Scacciata.
— Daniele Palumbo (@Danict89) December 24, 2020
Dinner Sorted. pic.twitter.com/cV0Q0oBwAt
Imagine having to wait until tomorrow to open your Christmas gifts..😆🎁#Brexit 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/hx0FwlhjwY
— AphexTriplets 🧉🐸 (@AphexTriplets) December 24, 2020
What time are the Guinness Book of Records people coming?
— Romie Beechinor (@romiebeechinor) December 23, 2020
“Eagerly impatient” ( for #Brexit ) pic.twitter.com/xxWDgYsdgL
— Paul Cunningham (@RTENewsPaulC) December 24, 2020
