May’s flurry for Brexit friends

BRITISH PM MIGHT NOT HAVE ENOUGH SUPPORT FOR A HARD BREAKAWAY

British Prime Minister Theresa May was yesterday trying to clinch a deal that would allow her minority government to survive, as EU leaders voiced growing impatience to start Brexit negotiations.

May lost her parliamentary majority in last week’s election and is now desperately seeking the support of the 10 MPs from Northern Ireland’s ultra-conservative Democratic Unionist Party.

An initial round of talks between May and DUP leader Arlene Foster ended with no agreement on Tuesday, although both sides said they were hopeful, with talks now resumed.

“I hope that we can reach a conclusion sooner than later,” Foster said.

On a visit to Paris on Tuesday evening, where she met with French President Emmanuel Macron, May described the talks as “productive”.

The talks are being closely watched in European capitals as they could delay the expected start of Brexit negotiations next week, as well as change Britain’s entire approach to its European Union (EU) withdrawal.

May has dismissed calls to resign following the dismal election result after calling a vote three years early in the hope of bolstering her slim majority ahead of the Brexit talks. Her gamble failed spectacularly.

A lacklustre campaign saw her high approval rating slip away, and support for her “hard Brexit” strategy – pulling out of the European single market and customs union – now hangs in the balance.

The DUP is believed to be more favourable to a “soft Brexit” that would keep Northern Ireland’s border with the Republic of Ireland free-flowing.

But the prospect of a deal has prompted warnings that it could upset Northern Ireland’s peace.

London’s neutrality is key to the delicate balance of power in Northern Ireland.

“The danger is that however much any government tries, they will not be seen to be impartial if they are locked into a parliamentary deal,” former Conservative prime minister John Major told BBC radio. Sinn Fein MP Michelle Glidernew already said her party was very worried.

Meanwhile, the EU unveiled plans to give itself new powers over London’s banking business after Brexit. – AFP