Brexit: Theresa May goes to Brussels for critical talks with Jean Claude Juncker

The prime minister is under pressure to reopen parts of the withdrawal agreement already settled by negotiators

Joe Watts
Political Editor
Tuesday 20 November 2018 11:54 GMT
Comments

Theresa May will travel to Brussels on Wednesday for a critical meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker ahead of this weekend’s Brexit summit.

Downing Street confirmed the trip would see Ms May push for progress on outlining future relations between the UK and the EU after Brexit.

The meeting will follow a cabinet on Tuesday at which the prime minister is expected to come under pressure to reopen parts of the withdrawal agreement already settled between negotiators.

It comes after her Northern Irish DUP allies in government warned Ms May she could not count on their support if she sticks to her course, signalling their anger by refusing to back an element of her Finance Bill.

Since Brexit negotiators reached an agreement on the withdrawal section of the deal, intense negotiations have been continuing in Brussels to nail down the political declaration on the future relation – with the two elements together forming the overall agreement that will be approved at a summit on Sunday.

The 25 November summit will see leaders of the remaining 27 EU states asked to put their stamp on the overall deal before ratification – with a vote expected in London in early December before one in the European Parliament.

A group of cabinet ministers will make the case on Tuesday morning for trying to gain additional measures in the withdrawal agreement relating to the current solution for what happens to the Irish border if no future trade deal is reached by the end of 2020.

On the continent, Spain has also threatened to reject the withdrawal agreement unless last-minute changes are introduced on the treatment of Gibraltar in relation to future trade deals.

Spanish foreign minister Josep Borrell: Spain will not back Brexit deal over issue of Gibraltar

Both Ms May and senior figures in the EU have indicated the withdrawal agreement cannot be reopened, but the prime minister has suggested there will be further positives for the UK in the future relations document still being outlined.

Ms May started her Tuesday by insisting that her draft deal puts Northern Ireland in a “fantastic position” for the future.

In an opinion piece published in the Belfast Telegraph, the Prime Minister claimed the region’s constitutional status within the UK had been guaranteed in the agreement.

“The challenge of Brexit has always been to continue our deep trading links and security co-operation with the EU in our new relationship, whilst freeing us to take advantage of the opportunities, such as an independent trade policy,” she wrote.

“This deal strikes that balance, and puts Northern Ireland in a fantastic position for the future.”

It appeared to be an attempt to address concerns being expressed by her DUP allies, who are propping up her government in the house of commons.

With the divide between the DUP and Conservatives growing, the Northern Irish party joined with Labour to cut the government’s majority to just five in vote on the Budget on Monday.

They also abstained on a series of other amendments to the Finance Bill in a move intended to send a “political message” to prime minister.

Their actions appeared to call into question the future of the “confidence and supply” arrangement they sealed with Ms May after the 2017 election

Under the terms of the deal, the Northern Ireland party is supposed to back the government on Budget matters and on confidence votes, but DUP Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson said Ms May’s deal with Brussels breached a “fundamental” assurance that Northern Ireland would not be separated constitutionally or economically from the rest of the UK.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in