D-Day for PM as vital Brexit talks flounder
Deadlock over fishing as Boris’s deadline passes
BORIS Johnson was last night agonising over whether to press on with Brexit trade talks after EU leaders urged him to compromise on key issues like fishing to avoid a no-deal scenario.
The Prime Minister yesterday missed his self-imposed deadline for clinching a deal as the clock ticks down to the end of the UK’s transition period on December 31.
And the pressure to continue with talks rather than walk away without a deal in place mounted after EU leaders lined up at a Brussels summit to say they do want to get an agreement – but our negotiators must give ground.
European Council President Charles Michel warned that fisheries, oversight of a trade deal and guarantees over “level playing field” rules – to stop one side gaining an advantage – were key.
He said: “We call on the UK to make the necessary moves. We will step up our work at all levels and for all outcomes, including for no-deal.”
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier warned it is “crystal clear” that single market access requires a level
playing field. He said: “We will do everything we can but not at any price.” Mr Barnier stressed he is ready to negotiate “until the last possible day”, adding: “We want to give these discussions every chance so that we secure an agreement.”
Echoing Mr Barnier, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: “We want an agreement but, of course, not at any cost. It has to be a fair agreement from which both sides profit. But all the effort is worth it.”
French President Emmanuel Macron, under pressure from French fishermen who fear losing their access to British waters, said: “Under any circumstance, our fishermen should not be sacrificed for Brexit.
“If these conditions are not met, it’s possible we won’t have a deal.”
And Dutch PM Mark Rutte said: “For a breakthrough, movement from the UK side is necessary.
“With substantial political willingness, a breakthrough is still possible.”
Britain’s chief negotiator Lord David Frost said the PM will reveal today whether he will accept the offer of further talks.
He added that he was “surprised by the suggestion that to get an agreement all future moves must come from UK”. And he branded it “an unusual approach to conducting a negotiation”.
The PM’s spokesman said last night: “We’ve always been clear that a negotiated outcome is our preference. We’ll reflect on the outcome of the European Council before we set out our next steps.”