French minister: Cannot exclude 'no-deal' Brexit but that's not in UK interest

6 hours ago, johnpetersen said:

What makes you think that other nations are so eager to do trade deals with the UK?

As for the UK financial services doing better, why would that be? UK firms are going to lose their passporting rights in the EU.

Im not going to bother explaining why nations would wish to trade with the UK, frankly that is a silly question. As for passporting rights you are partly correct, but ts really a non issue because British financial firms with satellite offices and or registrations in the EU will like any business within the EU sphere of rules continue to also enjoy any benefits. The predominant reason CoE will do better is UK decoupling from increasing EU oversight and rules, the CoE becomes far more attractive under an independent and flexible government. Wealthy interests and big business prefer privacy and trust secure, independent long standing trusted financial zones like Zurich, HK, Singapore and COE for a reason, there is less regulation and more guarantees of continued protected banking privacy rights, access to offshore locals et so its better for financial institutions, high value institutions, trusts and individuals not less. like it or not even big players in the EU want their wealth, investments and earnings kept away from scrutiny and more private where possible. That shouldnt really surprise anyone though. 

You might have been better accusing the CoL being a little more than a criminal clearing house for financial interests, for indeed it is, but money talks and it will still flourish in the aftermath of Brexit for reasons above and probably others ive no doubt missed.