Extension needed to limit Brexit damage

AS we expected, British prime minister Theresa May’s Chequers plan for Brexit has been torpedoed by the EU on the basis of its unworkability.

Yesterday, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, firmly rejected the UK plan, focusing on its centrepiece proposal in relation to a future customs arrangement. The EU, Mr Barnier stressed, in polite but unequivocal language, cannot delegate responsibility for its customs policy to a country that is not an EU member.

To state, as he did, that the EU would respect UK money, law and borders, but that such an arrangement must work both ways, serves only to emphasise the EU’s immoveable stance. All of which, on face value, suggests that we are as far away as ever from a Brexit deal.

Within this context, the notion of introducing an extension to the Brexit timeframe becomes more significant, as time marches on with no resolution in sight.

This newspaper has been arguing for months that it would be best to consider the possibility of an extension. It was welcome, therefore, to witness the Taoiseach accepting, as he did earlier this week, that a longer timeframe would be preferable to arriving up against the existing deadline with no deal in place.

However, in his interview in this newspaper today, Leo Varadkar posits the view that such an extension should be requested by the UK; that were such a move to emanate from the EU, then it could be deemed as bullying.

There may, of course, be an element of tough talking in the Taoiseach’s approach, but ultimately, if we let this drift into next year, and still a Brexit deal remains elusive, it will then be too late for Mrs May to suggest an extension.

Whatever about the Taoiseach’s concerns over how such an intervention from the EU would be perceived, it is extremely difficult to see what is simply a suggestion being interpreted as a bullying or meddling gesture. It would merely be an offer of additional time.

It is understandable that the Taoiseach is fully focused on getting the deal done before the current deadline. Nonetheless, we must hope that he is open to being flexible, that he is prepared to put his cards on the table with the EU, and get them to agree that an extension is the best way forward, and that such an offer should now be made to the UK.

When it comes down to it, an extension could well serve everyone’s best interests – especially our own.

It’s certainly a much better option than the no-deal alternative.