So what’s at stake at the key summit?
What is happening in Salzburg?
AUSTRIA is hosting a one-off summit to discuss Brexit and the migrant crisis tearing apart the EU. Last night Theresa May outlined her Chequers proposals to fellow leaders for the first time. Today they are expected to deliver their initial verdict on her plans.
What did Mrs May tell them?
THE Prime Minister warned that she will not delay Brexit or hold a second referendum – leaving just two months to strike an agreement ahead of the UK’s departure on March 29. Effectively, she asked them to accept the Chequers proposals or risk the economic turbulence of a nodeal departure.
What are the sticking points?
NORTHERN Ireland and trade. Mrs May has said she will never accept the EU’s fall-back plan, which would introduce a customs border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. The EU is resisting her plan to effectively keep the UK in the single market for goods via a common rule book.
Hasn’t the EU compromised on Northern Ireland?
NOT really. EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said this week he was ready to make an ‘improved offer’ on the border issue. But his new concession appears to be to allow British, rather than EU, officials to police customs and regulatory checks between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Government sources say the idea of an internal border remains unacceptable, however it is policed.
What will happen today?
EU leaders are anxious not to destabilise Mrs May ahead of next month’s Tory conference for fear of sparking her replacement by a hardline Brexiteer, such as Boris Johnson. Leaders are expected to issue warm words of encouragement today, while making it clear they want further concessions from the UK.
What are the EU’s tactics?
SOME in Brussels are determined to make sure the UK loses out as a result of Brexit in order to dissuade other countries from leaving. Others believe Mrs May is not serious about leaving without a deal and will eventually agree further concessions.
What happens next?
THE original deadline for reaching a deal at next month’s EU summit has been all but abandoned. Leaders are expected to propose a special Brexit summit in mid-November, but sources in Brussels are suggesting a final deal could slip even later – raising questions about whether there will be time for it to be ratified by Parliament before exit day.
Where does this leave the Chequers deal?
HARDLINE Brexiteers and diehard Remainers are both using the EU’s scepticism about Chequers to step up their own campaigns to kill it off. Brexiteers such as Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg and David Davis will pile pressure on Mrs May in the coming weeks to drop the complex proposals and pursue a simple free trade deal. Remainers such as Justine Greening and Anna Soubry will argue that the disagreement makes the case for a second referendum.