PM WARNS MACRON: DON’T THINK WE WON’T QUIT
DEFIANT Boris Johnson last night insisted Britain will leave the EU at the end of the month in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Prime Minister warned Mr Macron that he should not be “lured into the mistaken belief” that
Britain will delay Brexit. In the call, Mr Johnson said it was time to “push forward” and do a deal before it is too late.
Last night, Downing Street stressed the PM’s offer was the last chance to get an agreement.
Mr Macron – who is key to the success of any deal – has warned the Government it has just days left to persuade Brussels it has a workable deal.
But Mr Johnson has insisted the EU must compromise in a bid to break the deadlock.
The PM’s negotiating strategy has been undermined by the Remainer “Surrender Act” that will force him to ask for an extension if a deal cannot be reached at an EU summit next week.
Despite this, Downing Street said Mr Johnson – who also telephoned Portuguese premier Antonio Costa – was still determined to oversee Brexit on October 31.
“The PM said that this is the final opportunity to secure a deal – which is what all sides want – so we can move on and build a new partnership between the UK and the EU,” a spokesman said.
“But if this is to be possible, the EU must match the compromises that the UK has made in recent weeks and months.”
Mr Johnson also told Mr Macron there is more support in Parliament for his plan than the previous deal because the DUP and other committed Brexiteers have signalled they would back it.
The spokesman added: “The UK has made a big, important offer but it’s time for the European Commission to show a willingness to compromise, too.
“If not, the UK will leave with no-deal. The Surrender Act is undermining negotiations, but if EU leaders are betting that it will prevent no-deal, that would be a historic misunderstanding.”
During their conversation Mr Macron confirmed the deadline for talks is the end of this week. It would allow time for a new package to go before EU leaders at a summit starting on October 17.
David Frost, the PM’s chief Brexit adviser, will continue technical talks with EU officials after initial discussions stalled on Friday.
Michel Barnier, the EU’s top Brexit negotiator, told Eurocrats that evening that “member states agreed the UK proposals do not provide a basis for concluding an agreement”. He later claimed that Britain would return with “different proposals” if it was serious about a deal.
Government sources said Mr Barnier was “trying to pile on the pressure” but insisted there was still hope of securing a deal.
They said the “other side is trying to push as hard as possible to make us compromise” but the Government believes it is the EU’s turn to make concessions.
“We have made a massive offer and if it does not work out, that failure is down to Brussels,” they added. Mr Johnson was also expected to meet EU leaders for face-to-face talks this week but it is not clear if any meetings will now go ahead.
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay is expected to visit EU capitals today and tomorrow as the diplomatic efforts continue.
He has hinted the Government is prepared to make small changes.
Under the new Brexit proposals, Northern Ireland will have to apply EU rules to goods but it will stay in a customs territory with the UK. When transition arrangements end in 2021, Stormont will vote on whether to back the system.
Mr Barclay told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “The key issue is the principle of consent – that’s why the backstop was rejected three times, that was the concern in terms of both sides in Northern Ireland not approving of the backstop.
“As part of the intensive negotiations, we could look at that and discuss that mechanism.”
Today, Scotland’s highest court is expected to rule on the latest case
brought by Remain campaigners. The Court of Session is being asked to spell out what sanctions would apply if ministers fail to comply with the so-called Benn Act that would force Mr Johnson to ask for an extension.
Jeremy Corbyn, meanwhile, will launch a fresh attempt to wreck the Government’s chances of securing a new deal.
Damaging
The Labour leader will meet counterparts from Westminster’s smaller parties – including the SNP’s Ian Blackford, Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson and the Greens’ Caroline Lucas – to discuss their strategy.
Mr Corbyn said: “Labour is continuing to lead cross-party efforts to prevent a damaging no-deal.
“The cross-party meeting will decide what next steps we can take together to hold the Government to account, and to ensure the Prime Minister adheres to the law in seeking an extension if no-deal is reached by October 19.”