EU negotiator calls for moment of clarity
Party wants sensible trade deal
THE EUROPEAN UNION’S chief negotiator called for a “moment of clarity” as he warned Theresa May’s Florence speech was not enough to move the Brexit talks forward.
Michel Barnier welcomed the “constructive spirit” of Mrs May’s speech on the UK’s approach to Brexit last week but said the EU needed to “understand better how the UK government will translate the Prime Minister’s speech into negotiating positions”.
Mr Barnier repeated his warning that the EU will only begin discussing its future trade relationship with the UK when it is satisfied progress is being made on issues including the Irish border and the rights of EU nationals.
He said: “We do not need to remind ourselves that we are six months into the process. We are getting closer to the UK’s withdrawal and I think that this moment should be a moment of clarity.”
Mr Barnier was speaking alongside Brexit Secretary David Davis in Brussels at the start of the fourth round of talks. Mr Davis hinted at the UK’s frustration at the lack of discussions about trade and insisted substantial progress was being made on issues prioritised by Brussels.
The Haltemprice and Howden MP said: “We are laying out concrete proposals and there are no excuses for standing in the way of progress.It will take pragmatism on both sides to make headway, and I hope we can achieve that this week.”
The latest talks will continue until Thursday.
LABOUR’S TOP brass are keen to take the initiative on a number of key issues during this week’s party conference.
It’s why shadow chancellor John McDonnell took to the stage yesterday and said a future Labour government would bring “wasteful” PFI contracts back in to the public sector. And it’s why shadow culture secretary Tom Watson is today expected to say that bookmakers could be forced to pay a new levy to help treat problem gamblers if the party wins the next election.
Such proposals will no doubt go down well with some voters. However, the defining political issue of our time – Brexit – is the one that is arguably the most problematic for Labour given the sharp differences of opinion that exist between the leadership and some of the party’s highprofile MPs.
It wasn’t among a list of ‘priority’ motions that were chosen by conference delegates, which sparked a row over why more time was not being given to such a crucial topic.
Sir Keir Starmer did at least attempt to spell out his party’s position. The shadow Brexit secretary told party members that options for retaining the benefits of the customs union and single market should not be “swept off the table” and emphasised the importance of adopting a “sensible” approach when it comes to Brexit.
However, it is Brexit Secretary David Davis and the Prime Minister who are tasked with leading Britain’s exit from the European Union.
Negotiations thus far have been painstakingly slow, which is why Theresa May wanted to use her speech in Florence last week to restore momentum to a process that has been stalling.
Mr Davis and his UK team of negotiators started their fourth round of talks with EU officials in Brussels last night and it is they, not Labour’s leaders and their rhetoric, who will decide our future.