The prospect of a sweeping victory for Boris Johnson prompted a wave of relief in Brussels in the early hours of Friday, as senior EU politicians and officials welcomed the possibility of an end to the indecision and delay that has characterised the UK’s approach to the Brexit talks. 

While reaffirming their regret over the UK’s likely departure from the bloc, ministers meeting in Brussels for an EU summit said a big victory for Mr Johnson’s Conservatives should not only herald the passage of Britain’s exit treaty by Westminster, but also produce a government that was a more decisive negotiating partner. 

“France’s position for months has been a request for clarity?.?.?.?that it was necessary to reduce the period of uncertainty for French citizens, for Europeans, for the British,” Amélie de Montchalin, France’s Europe minister, said. “This clarification appears to have arrived.”