--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Of course, the E.U. were never going to…" description: "\"Of course, the E.U. were never going to welcome Brexit. Some sour grapes were inevitable. That's why we worked hard to leave on positive terms, extendi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f45/dominic-raab-12299_europe_of-course-the-e-u-were-never-going-to-we_3188369.jpg" --- # Of course, the E.U. were never going to welcome Brexit… ![“Of course, the E.U. were never going to welcome Brexit. Some sour grapes were inevitable. That's why we worked hard to leave on positive terms, extending the arm of friendship.” quote by Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f45/dominic-raab-12299_europe_of-course-the-e-u-were-never-going-to-we_3188369.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f45/dominic-raab-12299_europe_of-course-the-e-u-were-never-going-to-we_3188369.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f45/dominic-raab-12299_europe_of-course-the-e-u-were-never-going-to-we_3188369.jpg) > “Of course, the E.U. were never going to welcome Brexit. Some sour grapes were inevitable. That's why we worked hard to leave on positive terms, extending the arm of friendship.” [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The EU was unlikely to welcome Brexit; we aimed for a friendly exit despite inevitable resentment. **In simple terms:** EU opposed Brexit; we sought a positive parting. Key Takeaway Maintain goodwill when parting ways. Themes politics relationships negotiation Mood cautious optimistic Type political strategic When to use this quote - political transition - international relations - public statements Key Concepts diplomacy strategic communication Questions to Reflect On - How can goodwill be sustained after a contentious split? - What risks arise from overly optimistic language? A Different Perspective Positive framing may mask deeper tensions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Positive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive/) [Sour grapes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sour-grapes/) ## Related quotes > [I just want to leave a positive memory of setting an example and bringing our youth with us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-just-want-to-leave-a-positive-memory-of-setting-an-example-and/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [A girl that sits to my left convinces me that all shall get better if you let the bad leave and the positive arrive,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/collin-mitchell/a-girl-that-sits-to-my-left-convinces-me-that-all-shall-get-better-if/) [Collin Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/collin-mitchell/) > [I was told that with the right attitude, and with enough hard work, if you get up after every time you fail, you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-kim/i-was-told-that-with-the-right-attitude-and-with-enough-hard-work-if/) [Jonny Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-kim/) > [I have a positive mental attitude! I just choose to leave the positive bit out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-have-a-positive-mental-attitude-i-just-choose-to-leave-the-positive/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What I strive for is that everywhere I go, I leave a positive impact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-seedorf/what-i-strive-for-is-that-everywhere-i-go-i-leave-a-positive-impact/) [Clarence Seedorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-seedorf/) > [I keep sour grapes in the fridge all the time. And I eat those all day long, all week long, all month. All the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-earnhardt-jr/i-keep-sour-grapes-in-the-fridge-all-the-time-and-i-eat-those-all-day/) [Dale Earnhardt Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-earnhardt-jr/) > [Dennis has not behaved well and the fact he has taken it with bad grace shows we made the right decision. It smacks of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-lowe/dennis-has-not-behaved-well-and-the-fact-he-has-taken-it-with-bad/) Rupert Lowe > [“My life would be sour grapes and ashes without you”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daisy-ashford/my-life-would-be-sour-grapes-and-ashes-without-you/) [Daisy Ashford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daisy-ashford/) > [He whose mouth is out of taste says the wine is flat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/he-whose-mouth-is-out-of-taste-says-the-wine-is-flat/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [I suppose that the main benefit of being rich (over just being independent) is to be able to despise rich people (a good concentration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/i-suppose-that-the-main-benefit-of-being-rich-over-just-being/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [“Sour grapes, the champagne of the intelligentsia.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-benford/sour-grapes-the-champagne-of-the-intelligentsia/) [Gregory Benford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-benford/) > [The word snob belongs to the sour-grape vocabulary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/logan-pearsall-smith/the-word-snob-belongs-to-the-sour-grape-vocabulary/) [Logan Pearsall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/logan-pearsall-smith/) > [Sometimes I think that love is one big fairy tale. I wonder if people who say they are in love, if – really –…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-chandler/sometimes-i-think-that-love-is-one-big-fairy-tale-i-wonder-if-people/) [Elizabeth Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-chandler/) > [I didn't watch the Emmys because - well, for one, I have been to awards shows, and I understand how it works. For another,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-fuller/i-didn-t-watch-the-emmys-because-well-for-one-i-have-been-to-awards/) [Kurt Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-fuller/) > [There is too much sour grapes for my taste in the present American attitude. The time to denounce the bankers was when we were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-wharton/there-is-too-much-sour-grapes-for-my-taste-in-the-present-american/) [Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-wharton/) ## More by Dominic Raab > [Britain should take pride in a foreign policy that reflects her values and responsibilities - but it must be grounded in the tangible interests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/britain-should-take-pride-in-a-foreign-policy-that-reflects-her/) [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) > [Prisoners have benefited disproportionately from 'rights inflation' - the expansion of human rights into unforeseen nooks and crannies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/prisoners-have-benefited-disproportionately-from-rights-inflation-the/) [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) > [Introducing a voting threshold for strike action would save the country billions, unleashing productivity gains from rail infrastructure to administration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/introducing-a-voting-threshold-for-strike-action-would-save-the/) [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) > [I'll keep fighting for the best, most successful Brexit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/i-ll-keep-fighting-for-the-best-most-successful-brexit/) [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) > [I also think when it comes to delivering on Brexit, we need someone with a passion but also the mastery of the detail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/i-also-think-when-it-comes-to-delivering-on-brexit-we-need-someone/) [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) > [Of course, we must properly equip our troops.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/of-course-we-must-properly-equip-our-troops/) [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) > [You can't help your background or innate talents. But anyone can graft: that's why there are success stories like that of Tony Pidgley, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/you-can-t-help-your-background-or-innate-talents-but-anyone-can-graft/) [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) > [When Britain signed up to the European Convention and its later protocols, the words 'universal suffrage' were deleted from the 'right to vote' article.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/when-britain-signed-up-to-the-european-convention-and-its-later/) [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) > [No other country ties its hands in deporting foreign criminals as Britain does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/no-other-country-ties-its-hands-in-deporting-foreign-criminals-as/) [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) > [Courts should interpret the law but leave elected lawmakers to create it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/courts-should-interpret-the-law-but-leave-elected-lawmakers-to-create/) [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) > [Ultimately what is not needed now is recriminations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/ultimately-what-is-not-needed-now-is-recriminations/) [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) > [The something-for-nothing culture has been championed by a minority of militant union leaders, who threaten strikes with impunity to secure unjustifiable pay hikes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/the-something-for-nothing-culture-has-been-championed-by-a-minority/) [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) > [Michael Gove is the right leader for the country ... He can speak out to the aspirational underdog in our society, the kid from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/michael-gove-is-the-right-leader-for-the-country-he-can-speak-out-to/) [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) > [Shrouded by the 'dodgy dossier,' which warped opaque intelligence, none of the stated war aims in Iraq spoke to the British national interest. Illusory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/shrouded-by-the-dodgy-dossier-which-warped-opaque-intelligence-none/) [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) > [The government rightly resisted pressure to accept Free Movement of people from E.U. countries, to allow us to regain control over our immigration policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/the-government-rightly-resisted-pressure-to-accept-free-movement-of/) [Dominic Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) [Explore all 55 Dominic Raab quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/) ## More Europe quotes > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [Few political debates have been as divisive as the European one. I fought as hard as I could on the Remain side, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/few-political-debates-have-been-as-divisive-as-the-european-one-i/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) > [Perhaps our own opposition to even the level of European integration we have now, let alone any more, is well known.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-farage/perhaps-our-own-opposition-to-even-the-level-of-european-integration/) [Nigel Farage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-farage/) > [Liberalism is the philosophy for our time, because it does not try to conserve every tradition of the past, because it does not apply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-trudeau/liberalism-is-the-philosophy-for-our-time-because-it-does-not-try-to/) [Pierre Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-trudeau/) > [Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [“Conservatism aims to maintain in working order the loyalties of the community to perceived truths and also to those truths which in their judgment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-buckley-jr-2/conservatism-aims-to-maintain-in-working-order-the-loyalties-of-the/) [William F. Buckley Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-f-buckley-jr-2/) > [I'm from Europe, England, and I actually lived in Italy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adewale-akinnuoye-agbaje/i-m-from-europe-england-and-i-actually-lived-in-italy/) [Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adewale-akinnuoye-agbaje/) > [Europe is creating the flight of refugees that's tearing it apart politically, and leading rightwing nationalist parties to gain power to withdraw from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hudson/europe-is-creating-the-flight-of-refugees-that-s-tearing-it-apart/) [Michael Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hudson/) > [We witness anti-Semitic attacks in the heart of Europe. We hear anti-Semitic slanders in European media. We feel anti-Semitic hatred in the continent that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayelet-shaked/we-witness-anti-semitic-attacks-in-the-heart-of-europe-we-hear-anti/) [Ayelet Shaked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayelet-shaked/) > [Conservatives are people who look at a tree and feel instinctively that it is more beautiful than anything they can name. But when it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-mailer/conservatives-are-people-who-look-at-a-tree-and-feel-instinctively/) [Norman Mailer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-mailer/) > [With the Truman book, I wrote the entire account of his experiences in World War I before going over to Europe to follow his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mccullough/with-the-truman-book-i-wrote-the-entire-account-of-his-experiences-in/) [David McCullough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mccullough/) > [A man accustomed to American food and American domestic cookery would not starve to death suddenly in Europe, but I think he would gradually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/a-man-accustomed-to-american-food-and-american-domestic-cookery-would/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Yes, across Europe, this wall will fall. For it cannot withstand faith; it cannot withstand truth. The wall cannot withstand freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/yes-across-europe-this-wall-will-fall-for-it-cannot-withstand-faith/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [I became an MP in 2017 and have been around to watch Liberal Democrat party membership soar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/layla-moran/i-became-an-mp-in-2017-and-have-been-around-to-watch-liberal-democrat/) [Layla Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/layla-moran/) [Browse all 7,565 Europe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Of course, the E.U. were never going to welcome Brexit. Some sour grapes were inevitable. That's why we worked hard to leave on positive terms, extending the arm of friendship.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dominic Raab" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/of-course-the-e-u-were-never-going-to-welcome-brexit-some-sour-grapes/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Europe" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/of-course-the-e-u-were-never-going-to-welcome-brexit-some-sour-grapes/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f45/dominic-raab-12299_europe_of-course-the-e-u-were-never-going-to-we_3188369.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f45/dominic-raab-12299_europe_of-course-the-e-u-were-never-going-to-we_3188369.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f45/dominic-raab-12299_europe_of-course-the-e-u-were-never-going-to-we_3188369.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Of course, the E.U. were never going to welcome Brexit. Some sour grapes were inevitable. That's why we…” — Dominic Raab", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dominic Raab", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-raab/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Of course, the E.U. were never...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/of-course-the-e-u-were-never-going-to-welcome-brexit-some-sour-grapes/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-raab/of-course-the-e-u-were-never-going-to-welcome-brexit-some-sour-grapes/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```