PM NEEDS A MIRACLE
MORE BREXIT HUMILIATION FOR FLOUNDERING PRIME MINISTER Can you spot no mates May?
May left reeling as Juncker ends hope trade talks will start soon
THERESA May was left redfaced yesterday after Brussels said it would take a “miracle” to start Brexit trade talks.
The PM is desperate to fend off Brexit-supporting Tory MPs by kicking off trade talks next month.
But asked if enough progress had been made for the EU to agree to trade talks next month, European Commisson boss Jean-Claude Juncker said only if “miracles happen”.
May was dealt the blow on the eve of the Tory party conference, where she faces an uphill battle to control MPs squabbling over Brexit.
She suffered a further setback yesterday as official figures showed the UK economy grew by a weaker rate than earlier reported in the second quarter of the year.
The Office for National Statistics said while they continued to measure quarter-on-quarter growth of 0.3 per cent between April and June, the annual growth for gross domestic product was 1.5 per cent.
They had given an earlier estimate of 1.7 per cent, saying it represented the weakest growth since 2013.
Labour MP Chris Leslie, a supporter of anti-Brexit group Open Britain, said: “It’s clear that this Government’s hard Brexit strategy is downgrading Britain’s economy.
“Their chaotic negotiations with the EU are increasing uncertainty for businesses, while the pound has fallen through the floor and firms are worried about the impact of their ideological plan to leave the single market and customs union.
“To protect jobs and our economy, the Government must urgently rethink their decision to leave the single market and customs union.”
Earlier, Juncker agreed progress had been made between Britain and the EU. But asked if it was enough for the EU to agree to trade talks, as the UK wants, next month, he replied only if “miracles happen”.
May insisted she was “pleased” with recent developments. Speaking in Estonia, where she was attending an EU security summit, she said there had been movement on issues such as citizens’ rights during the fourth round of Brexit talks, which concluded on Thursday.
UK negotiators, led by Brexit Secretary David Davis, suggested there had been “decisive” steps forward but his EU counterparts suggested there was a lot more work to be done.
The other 27 EU leaders will decide next month whether enough progress has been made in the talks, which have focused on issues such as the Irish border and money, to move on to to consider the UK’s relationship with the EU.
Asked for his view, Juncker replied: “There will be no sufficient progress from now until October, unless miracles would happen”.
But May said there had been progress in the week since she gave a number of guarantees – including on honouring contributions to the
EU budget – in her Italian speech. She said: “In Florence, I set out my vision for a deep and special partnership with the EU.
“I’m pleased with the progress in the negotiations and look forward to developing a special partnership as it’s in the interests of EU as well.”
Meanwhile, May faces fresh fears about her future after polling found Tory members want her to quit after Brexit, putting Boris Johnson as the top choice to take over.
The Foreign Secretary was backed by 23 per cent of party members to take over, followed by Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson on 19 per cent.
High-profile backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg, who was branded “extreme” after expressing opposition to abortion in all circumstances, including rape and incest, came third on 17 per cent, in the YouGov poll.
Johnson has enjoyed a resurgence in support after releasing a Brexit blueprint in a move that was viewed to have boxed in the Prime Minister ahead of her speech in Florence.
Davis was backed by just 11 per cent of Tories, falling from the top spot in July.
Some 38 per cent of party members want May to quit after Britain leaves the EU in 2019, despite her vow to take the party into the 2022 general election.
While 29 per cent Tories want her to contest the next national poll, five per cent believe she should quit immediately.