The UK were just being difficult and asking for things they knew they couldn't have. Like to join the single market for services but not for products. That brea

The UK were just being difficult and asking for things they knew they couldn't have. Like to join the single market for services but not for products. That breaks one of the most fundamental values of the EU. This is what made Brexit negotiations so difficult. And of course there was the northern Ireland issue with which they didn't even know what to do themselves. Also, them constantly replacing their negotiatiors didn't help. But at least they're out now.