May must compromise to secure a Eurodeal – Clegg

THERESA May will be forced to abandon key planks of her Brexit strategy in order to secure a deal within the two-year deadline for talks, former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, pictured, said.

A paper drawn up by the senior Liberal Democrat suggests that the only practical way forward would be to agree a limited transitional deal, paving the way for future talks on a long-term settlement.

The analysis, produced with a panel of experts and following private talks with key players in Brussels and other EU capitals, suggests the Prime Minister will need to accept paying a “Brexit bill” to the EU in order to secure agreement to run talks on future trade deals at the same time as discussing the terms of the divorce from Brussels.

Mr Clegg, a staunch Europhile and the Lib Dem Brexit spokesman, said: “The cumulative effect of the Prime Minister’s decisions to date has been to reduce the already slim chances of striking the deal she wants in the time available.

“This analysis confirms that something will need to give – on both sides, but most significantly on the part of the UK. “The sooner the Prime Minister explains to the British people that any negotiation involves significant compromise, the sooner we will be in a position to strike the best possible deal for both the UK and the EU. At present, her red lines are internally inconsistent and based on a wholly unrealistic set of assumptions.”

Once Mrs May has triggered Article 50, the UK will have two years to secure a withdrawal agreement.

The Prime Minister wants talks on a comprehensive free trade deal to take place at the same time – something Brussels has been reluctant to accept.