Unnecessary

What was clear from the event attended by representatives of the British Embassy in Spain and the Spanish Embassy in the UK, as well as leading experts in trade, tourism, technology and education, was that the two countries are tied together by something far stronger than a blue flag with yellow stars on it.

The British and Spanish live in and visit each other's countries in their hundreds of thousands, we do business together, celebrate together, learn each other's language and value each other's people and products.

That hasn't changed, but it does not mean that leaving the EU was good or inconsequential.

Last Friday's dialogues revealed the many problems, complications, inconveniences, barriers and a quagmire of extra red tape caused by the unnecessary Brexit.

They also showed that the bonds between these two countries make it worth struggling through that quagmire to keep the partnership intact.