EU ‘preparing for a Brexit climbdown’
Brussels may be preparing for a Brexit climbdown which would allow Britain to stay in the single market for goods while opting out of rules on free movement.
European leaders are said to be planning to negotiate the deal with Theresa May.
Previously Brussels has insisted that if the Prime Minister wants access to the single market she has to accept continued unlimited immigration into the UK from Europe.
But there were rumours yesterday member states are willing to abandon one of the EU’s ideological red lines in return for more Brexit concessions from Mrs May.
They expect her to replicate all new EU environmental, social and customs rules in addition to those set out in the Chequers White Paper.
It came as Austrian foreign minister Karin Kneissl said EU states were prepared to be ‘pragmatic’ as negotiations reach their final stages. She stressed: ‘There is no need to panic on either side of the Channel. The timetable for negotiations between Theresa May and Michel Barnier, who represents the other 27 EU nations, is tight. But there is agreement on 80 per cent of the document.
‘ Taking a pragmatic approach will make it easier to strike a balance between benefits and obligations.’
It was reported yesterday that the EU climbdown is on the table to be discussed at a special meeting of all 28 leadthe ers in Salzburg next month. It marks a significant divergence between the public position stated by Mr Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, and the European Council, which represents member states. Mr Barnier has always stated since Chequers that Mrs May’s proposals would ‘undermine
‘80% of deal has been agreed’
our single market’ and Britain cannot pick and choose which parts to be in.
The Times said British officials are pushing a ‘Jersey model’ as a potential solution to the impasse.
Jersey and other Channel Island Crown dependencies are not members of the EU but they have access to the single market without having to accept freedom of movement. However, adopting the Jersey model would require Britain pledging to abide by all future EU environmental and social protections.
A senior EU source told The Times: ‘If May came with the Jersey model there would be a serious discussion among leaders for the first time.’
States fear that while Britain will follow EU legislation, such as chemicals registration rules, it will diverge on environmental regulation, giving it a competitive advantage.
Writing in the Financial Times, Dr Kneissl said: ‘The UK should remember that pragmatism has long been a virtue of British diplomacy.’
She praised the ‘primacy of common sense’, adding: ‘We are on a tightrope between regulations and practical politics.’ Dr Kneissl said: ‘Now we are closing another chapter in relationship between Europe and the EU. Achieving this will require both common sense and sobriety. Personally, I trust all involved actors to possess these qualities.’
Targets to limit immigration should be scrapped after Brexit, business leaders have said. The Confederation of British Industry urged ministers instead to toughen immigration rules by introducing compulsory registration for EU citizens arriving in the UK.
It insisted European citizens should be deported after three months if they could not prove they were working or studying. The CBI’s Josh Hardie said firms should be able to hire the staff they need.
He added: ‘Scrapping blunt targets, ensuring all who come to the UK contribute and using immigration to support public services will add to public confidence.’