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I negotiated the EU’s expansion. Here are the mistakes the UK must avoid repeating.
"In all areas, the U.K. continues to backtrack," says EU Chief Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier, accusing Boris Johnson's government of distancing itself from the political declaration previously agreed with the bloc
With my Brexit Twitter hat on, let me share some details on the steps involved in getting to that agreement, and why it's unwise (read mad) to expect it to be done quickly. [thread]
"Not one of those things he promised us has been delivered. So I have seen no evidence that that man is capable of negotiating his way out of the tea room in the House of Commons, let alone us into the biggest market in the world." - Peter Kyle
PM dug into a corner by refusing to compromise on sovereignty but EU reached ‘pain threshold’
Britain is already heading for the worst coronavirus-induced slump of any major economy. Now fears are rising that businesses could be slammed by a second body blow this year — the failure of trade talks with the European Union.
Brexit negotiations "have been difficult" and "no solution has been identified" to the Irish backstop, the European Commission has said.
'It’s tough as it is’: IMF chief says 'wise' to extend Brexit trade negotiations amid coronavirus uncertainty
16/04/2020
No 10 has repeatedly insisted the PM will stick with existing deadline.
'most interesting point in @DavidGHFrost letter ... incredulity at no European country being able to operate outside EU sphere' - Seb Dance
20/05/2020
'The most interesting point in @DavidGHFrost letter was the bit expressing incredulity at no European country being able to operate outside EU sphere. The EU is how countries of Europe (up until now, UK included) have come to organise their relationship over time.'
'Trust is good but law is better': Ursula von der Leyen calls for clear Brexit rules [2 mins]
25/11/2020
Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday it was still uncertain if a deal on the future relationship between the EU and the UK could be struck before the end of the year.
'UK proposals for implementing Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland deserve detailed scrutiny' - Michael Dougan
20/05/2020
UK proposals for implementing Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland deserve detailed scrutiny. No doubt the Commission will soon oblige! Below = some first thoughts from me (moving from the general to the specific) pending more critical reading & cross-checking ...
The downbeat assessment comes as EU negotiator Michel Barnier describes the latest round of negotiations as "disappointing".
Michel Barnier’s new book (all 541 pages of it) takes a detailed look at the Brexit negotiations from the viewpoint of the EU chief negotiator himself.
'Do you think it's practical for us *the UK govt* to require/request multiple extensions?' / What does A50 have to say on the possibility of multiple extensions? / 'If you leave with no deal, you are no longer a member of the EU and you're treated as any other non member state.'
After coronavirus, the UK government can’t afford to play Russian roulette with the EU over a Brexit trade deal - Michael Heseltine
27/06/2020
The battle for foreign investment is not a game conducted on public school playing fields. It is ruthlessly fought by governments armed with every trick in the book.
An Airbag for the Crash Test Dummies? EU-UK Negotiations for a Post-Withdrawal “Status Quo” Transitional Regime Under Article 50 TEU
01/02/2018
"Due entirely to its own choices, for which it should accept direct responsibility, the UK needs a transitional deal far more than the EU does." - quoted from Concluding remarks
German chancellor makes rare Brexit intervention at a crucial point in talks.
Angela Merkel says Britain must ‘live with the consequences’ of Boris Johnson’s decision to ditch close alignment with EU
27/06/2020
Poll finds just 25 per cent of voters think PM will get a deal which is good for Britain.
Angela Merkel has warned Britons will have to “live with the consequences” of Boris Johnson rejecting Theresa May’s plan to continue close economic ties with Brussels after Brexit.