PM ready to delay Brexit transition in quest for Irish border solution
THERESA May risked deepening the Tories’ bitter Brexit civil war last night amid claims she could effectively tie the UK to Brussels for another year.
The PM is said to have told EU leaders she would consider lengthening the exit transition period, which is due to last for 21 months from Brexit until December 2020.
An extension would allow more time to find a solution to keep the Irish border open – a major sticking point in the Brexit negotiations.
But it would enrage Tory Leavers as the UK would keep pumping cash – potentially £9billion – into the EU while remaining under its rules.
It is understood May discussed the matter as she addressed Europe’s leaders in Brussels before they tucked into dinner without her last night.
They hoped she would have new ideas for breaking the deadlock over the Irish backstop, which aims to protect the open border if no customs arrangements have been agreed before the transition period ends.
But an EU official said: “There were no new proposals. She said the UK would be ready to consider the extension of the transition period.”
Irish PM Leo Varadkar supported the idea, saying: “I’ve always been of the view that it could easily take two years or more to negotiate a new EU-UK treaty covering everything from economy to trade to security.”
The revelation overshadowed May’s desperate attempt to convince counterparts to soften their position on the backstop. It would effectively keep BY BEN GLAZE Northern Ireland in the EU customs union until a trade deal is in place.
The UK wants it to be time-limited but the EU insists it cannot have an expiry date.
May, greeted by European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, told her EU counterparts: “The last stage will need courage, trust and leadership on both sides. We have shown we can do difficult deals together constructively. I remain confident of a good outcome.”
Leaders ramped up the pressure on May as they arrived in Brussels.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel revealed Berlin was preparing for all outcomes, including a no-deal exit.
Speaking earlier, she said: “It is only fitting as a responsible and forwardthinking government leadership that we prepare for every scenario.”
In Paris, officials said British citizens would need visas to visit France if the UK crashed out with no deal.
Meanwhile, Whitehall official Sir Chris Wormald told MPs he lost sleep over Brexit’s impact on the NHS.
The Department of Health permanent secretary said he feared for the supply of medicines, staff and healthcare arrangements with the rest of Europe.
“Those three things keep me awake on this subject,” he added.
But May received a boost from the US as trade representative Robert Lighthizer said Donald Trump intends to pursue a deal with the UK “as soon as it is ready” after Brexit.