EU plot to rule UK for two years after Brexit
THERESA May is under pressure to drop plans for a Brexit transition period after Brussels strategy papers revealed that the Commission wants to use the time to extend its rule over Britain.
With talks set to resume today, the EU plans would see Britain officially leave the EU in March 2019 but then be governed by EU laws and institutions for another two years. However, the UK would not being allowed to sit at the EU table making decisions.
The revelations have led influential pro-Brexit group Leave Means Leave, which is backed by more than 50 Tory MPs and MEPs, to call on Mrs May to reconsider her plans.
The Commission’s document notes that Mrs May’s request for a transition period of about two years “would require a temporary application of Union law to and within the United Kingdom together with regulatory, budgetary, supervisory, judiciary and enforcement instruments and structures”.
It also notes that “a non-member of the Union, that does not live up to the same obligations as a member, cannot have the same rights and enjoy the same benefits as a member.” Richard Tice, co-chairman of Leave Means Leave said: “The EU want Britain to remain trapped in the EU during a transition period, abiding by the laws of the EU and still funding the EU.
“At the same time it wants Britain to be completely powerless in the EU, unable to take advantage of our Brexit opportunities. Accepting this wouldn’t just be a bad deal – it would be a disastrous deal and our Government must not fall for the vested interests of the CBI and the multinationals who support such a plan.”
He added said Britain would be better to leave the EU and revert to a World Trade Organisation (WTO) based deal.
Former British Chambers of Commerce director John Longworth and Economists for Free Trade, led by Margaret Thatcher’s adviser Professor Patrick Minford, have estimated the UK could be better off by about £150billion a year by relying on WTO rules and setting up free trade deals.
The row comes as the European Parliament’s chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt has brought a “no deal” closer by dismissing claims that an agreement on EU citizen rights after Brexit is imminent.
PM Theresa May had said the two sides were “in touching distance” of a deal. But arch federalist Mr Verhofstadt said: “We don’t recognise reports suggesting that a deal on citizens’ rights is almost finalised. There are still major issues that have to be resolved.”
It could mean Brexit negotiations do not move on to trade in December, forcing Mrs May to quit the talks.