May stares into abyss as Brexit outcry grows
Time running out to seal deal for November summit
UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit strategy came under attack from all sides on Monday, increasing the risk her plan for leaving the EU will be voted down by parliament and thrust the UK towards a potentially chaotic “no-deal” Brexit.
In a sign that Brexit talks could go down to the wire, EU sources said they want clarity from London by the end of Wednesday at the latest if there is to be a summit in November to approve a Brexit deal.
May’s compromise plan, which seeks to maintain close trade ties with the EU, is facing opposition from Brexiteers, proEuropeans, the Northern Irish party that props up her government, and even some of her own ministers.
“I think it’s the worst of all worlds,” former education minister Justine Greening, who supported staying in the EU in the 2016 referendum, told BBC radio, adding that she did not think there is any chance that it will get through parliament.
A British official voiced pessimism about the possibility of a breakthrough with the EU this week due to continued deadlock on the issue of the border between British-ruled Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland.
Sterling tumbled to $1.2838 on fears of a possible no-deal Brexit, which many investors fear will weaken the West, panic markets and block the arteries of trade.
“Technically speaking, the text is ready. But there is no political agreement from their side,” a senior EU diplomat said.
But May has struggled to untangle nearly 46 years of membership without damaging trade or upsetting the legislators who will ultimately decide the fate of any deal she can secure.
“We have made good progress in the negotiations in relation to the withdrawal agreement but there are substantial issues still to overcome in relation to the Northern Irish ‘backstop’; that remains the case,” May’s spokesperson said.
The “backstop” is an insurance policy to ensure no return to border controls on the island of Ireland if a future EU-UK trading relationship cannot be agreed in time.
“The cabinet has backed the prime minister in moving forward with the negotiations with the EU and I expect cabinet will continue to do so,” May’s spokesperson said.
In Brussels, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel