‘Brexit ball in your court’
LONDON - Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the European Union on Monday that the Brexit ball was in its court and that the bloc should now urgently discuss in detail his proposal for breaking the deadlock in talks ahead of Britain’s departure on October 31.
With just 24 days to go before the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU, both sides are positioning themselves to avoid blame for a delay or a disorderly no-deal Brexit.
EU leaders reacted coolly to Mr Johnson’s last-ditch proposals to bridge the impasse, indicating just how far apart the two sides are over the first departure of a sovereign state from the EU, which was forged from Europe’s ruins after World War II.
“What we’re saying to our friends is (that) this is a very generous, fair and reasonable offer we’ve made. What we’d like to hear from you now is what your thoughts are,” Mr Johnson said.
“If you have issues with any of the proposals that we’ve come up with, then let’s get into the detail and discuss them,” he told reporters, reiterating his position that the United Kingdom would leave the EU on October 31.
At stake, potentially, are the unity of the United Kingdom, peace on the island of Ireland, global growth and the future shape of the European project.
Mr Johnson has repeatedly vowed that Britain will leave the bloc on October 31 and that he would rather be “dead in a ditch” than seek any further extension of the departure date. A law passed by his political opponents requires him to write to the EU requesting a delay if he has failed to agree a deal by October 19, the day after an EU summit of all 28 national leaders in Brussels.
A Scottish court on Monday rejected a bid by campaigners seeking an order to force Mr Johnson to ask for a Brexit delay, citing assurances given to the court by the government that it would comply with the law.
Brexit deal
Mr Johnson made his proposal to the EU last Wednesday, offering a possible compromise on the Irish border –– the most contentious issue -– that drew cool reception from the EU.
He went further than many had expected on trying to solve the dilemma over the border between British-ruled Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland by proposing an all-island regulatory zone to cover all goods. This would replace the so-called “backstop” arrangement he says Britain cannot accept. However, Northern Ireland would leave the EU’s customs area along with the rest of the UK and the province’s institutions would be able to opt to exit the regulatory zone –– a step too far for Ireland and the EU.