What were some of the main sticking points in the Brexit negotiations between the UK and the EU?

The Brexit negotiations were a long and complex process that began in March 2017 and concluded with the UK's departure from the EU on January 31, 2020. Throughout the negotiations, there were several key sticking points that caused significant disagreements and delays in reaching an agreement.

One of the main sticking points was the issue of the Irish border. The UK and the EU had different views on how to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland (which is an EU member state). The EU wanted Northern Ireland to remain aligned with EU rules and regulations to avoid a hard border, while the UK wanted to leave the EU's single market and customs union and have its own rules and regulations.

Another major sticking point was the issue of the future relationship between the UK and the EU. The EU wanted to maintain close ties with the UK, particularly in areas such as trade and security, while the UK wanted greater independence and control over its own affairs. This led to difficult negotiations over issues such as fishing rights, financial services, and regulatory alignment.

Other issues that caused disagreements included the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and UK citizens living in the EU, the UK's financial obligations to the EU, and the role of the European Court of Justice in resolving disputes.