May must now get deal through her divided Cabinet
LONDON — After months of false starts and setbacks, negotiators from Britain and the European Union struck a proposed deal Tuesday for the U.K.’S exit from the bloc.
But the agreement faces major political hurdles starting Wednesday, when British Prime Minister Theresa May will try to win the approval of her divided Cabinet.
The British government confirmed that the negotiating teams had reached a draft agreement and the Cabinet would hold a special meeting Wednesday afternoon to consider the proposal. May is under pressure from pro-brexit ministers not to make further concessions to the EU on the key issue of the Irish border.
A spokesman for chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier urged caution, saying a deal wasn’t yet finalized andtheblocwould“takestock” Wednesday.
Ambassadors from the 27 other EU countries are also due to hold a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday.
Britain wants to seal a deal this fall, so that Parliament has time to vote on it before the U.K. leaves the bloc on March 29. The European Parliament also has to approve any agreement, as do all 28 EU nations.
The main obstacle has long been how to ensure there are no customs posts or other checks along the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Irish national broadcaster RTE said the draft agreement involves a common customs arrangement for the U.K. and the EU, with special provisions for Northern Ireland and a review mechanism to oversee its functioning.
A sticking point in talks has been Britain’s insistence that any such customs arrangement must be temporary. The EU says that in order to guarantee an open border, it can’t have a time limit.
Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, a staunch “Brexiteer,” said the deal was unacceptable and Cabinet ministers should “chuck it out.”
May also faces growing opposition from pro-eu lawmakers, who say her proposed Brexit deal is worse than the status quo and the British public should get a new vote on whether to leave or to stay.
On Tuesday, the European Commission published a sheaf of notices outlining changes in a host of areas in the event of a no-deal Brexit. They point to major disruption for people and businesses.