It was with growing amazement that I watched the British Prime Minister, Theresa “The Appeaser” May, disenfranchising 17.4 million British voters while announcing the first phase Brexit agreement in Brussels.

With each word an overwhelmed Theresa the Appeaser uttered – all the while flanked by the pompously pleased EU chief negotiator, Michel Barnier – the Brexit voting public saw their dreams of an independent UK slipping away, as it emerged that Great Britain will be leaving the EU in name only.

From the estimated £40bn ‘divorce’ settlement; the continuation of free movement for years to come and the pledge to honour payments to EU projects beyond 2020; to the absurdity of keep full regulatory alignment with the Internal Market and the Customs Union, each statement signalled surrender, surrender, surrender.

The fact is, the first phase agreement is an utter national humiliation.

However, for the EU, the deal is a dream scenario!

A weak and feeble British Prime Minister, happy to humble herself at the feet of unelected Brussels mandarins and forced to bow to the power the EU wields like a sharpened diplomatic scimitar.

But, there is possibly worse to come as negotiations move into phase two.

Speaking after the announcement of the first phase deal, European Council President, Donald Tusk, demanded that during any ‘transition period’, the UK will continue to follow all EU law, and, more crucially, be obliged to adopt any new EU legislation agreed by the EU27, as a third-party state.

Essentially, this would mean the UK is subjugated to the wants of the European Council, yet, without even a hint of democratic representation for British people in the decision-making process.

Even the most committed ‘Remainer’ must see that this makes the UK nothing more than a subordinate of the EU, beholden on the will of an EU27, who are already further sharpening the knives and planning on how they will divide the spoils.

To concede to the EU’s demands would mean no external trade deals; no reduction in EU immigration; complete subservience to the European Court of Justice; no return of our seas; no strengthening of borders; and no means of complaint or recourse should the British electorate disagree with the rules imposed on Westminster.

However, the real danger in agreeing to a transitional deal such as this comes after the next general election, when the dominant party or coalition could potentially continue the status quo by extending the transition period or signing the UK up to the EEA.

However, in another worrying development, there are now constant rumblings that the UK will go ahead with plans to join the EU’s Permanent Security Cooperation (PESCO) agreement in some form.

The implementation of PESCO – as set out in the Lisbon treaty – is nothing more than the creation of the EU army that Arch-Europhile, Nick Clegg, said would never happen.

Under PESCO, the EU will realise its dream of a defence union that will “shape its steps towards combined security and defence;” especially in areas of defence research and joint military capabilities, and it is an issue close to Barnier’s heart.

The EU’s latest push towards moving “from the current patchwork of bilateral and multilateral military cooperation to gradually increased defence integration,” was prompted by a “Strategic Note” written by a team led by one Michel Barnier.

Therefore, it came as no surprise when Barnier used a speech in Germany to berate the UK’s decision to leave the EU, with insinuations that Britain is ducking the fight with ISIS due to Brexit.

While this direct insult to the brave men and women of the UK’s armed forces and the security services passes with no apology; Mrs May continues to reaffirm the UK’s “commitment” to European defence and security.

For many Brexit supporters, the potential creation of an EU army was a critical issue during the referendum. However, based on the Prime Minister’s history of capitulation and weakness in the negotiations to date, I doubt very much she will be able to withstand EU pressure to commit British forces to PESCO.

Based on the recent agreements and the weakness shown in negotiations to date, a UK free of the EU is looking increasingly unlikely.

Therefore, the role of UKIP in British politics – as the only party committed to delivering Brexit – is becoming more vital than ever before; especially as MP’s of all parties are showing their true colours by trying to derail the Brexit process wherever possible.

As public anger over the UK’s Brexit humiliation continues to grow, UKIP must remain at the forefront of representing the betrayed 17.4million voters.

Under our new leader, Henry Bolton, the party is being slowly getting stronger following a year of turmoil; with plans for an overhaul of communications, electioneering, and the party structure.

However, grassroots support won the referendum, and it will be grassroots support that will win the battle to bring about our final independence.

Therefore, everyone can play a part in this new Battle of Britain.

Whether you support the party through delivering leaflets, offering help to local branches, or simply vote UKIP in the forthcoming local elections, every little helps towards an independent United Kingdom.