Bravo, France

London eclipses other European capitals. Even Paris. London is the biggest city in Europe. 38% of its population were born overseas. 1.5 million of its people work in highly skilled sectors. Across Europe, London has 46% of the high-skilled jobs. Paris is second … with 19%.

Ah, Paris. From where huge numbers of French go-getters have moved to London to escape the dead socialist hand of one Francois Hollande.

Which must be galling. Especially when London as a financial centre is in a different league from any eurozone capital.

The French would rather do without our troublesome presence in the EU. Our economy is larger than theirs, we are insufficiently dirigiste, Protestant northern Europe tends to be sympathetic to our way of doing business. This is not good. Oh, and we have the fastest growing major economy in the EU.

France would prefer we left the EU. But they have to take account of Germany. Germany wants us to stay, not just for the money but because we can be a useful counterweight to … er … France.

This too is not good.

So in the Brexit negotiations, France gave notice that it would be looking to increase regulation of the City of London. This might be in Germany’s interest too, as the financial capital of the eurozone is at Frankfurt. So this French threat is licensed by Germany.

Yesterday France decided to talk tough over migrant centres on their side of the Channel. The treaties covering these are bilateral, between Britain and France, and independent of the EU.

French Republicans had already said they would repudiate these treaties if they won power after the next election.

Now Britain has bunged France £17m towards the cost of looking after refugees stuck in France who don’t want to be there. In return, France has said that if we leave the EU (which, remember, is nothing to do with these treaties), there will be consequences.

In this area France can talk as tough as it likes, as Germany has no involvement.

For once, this blog finds itself on the side of the French government. Germany wants us to stay, but France wants us to leave. And who would want to be tied in to a superstate alongside such a determined enemy?

Mr Hollande said he did not want to put “pressure” on British voters but warned “immigration” arrangements could be affected by Brexit. He added that remaining in the EU also had “consequences” but failed to spell them out.

France’s aim is as clear as it can make it without upsetting Germany.

France wants Brexit.

Bravo, France!