EU tells May: No free trade deal without open borders
HOSTILE EU leaders last night warned Theresa May that Britain must continue to let in hundreds of thousands of migrant workers a year to get access to the single market.
At her first EU summit, the PM faced a barrage of demands from Eurocrats determined to preserve rules on free movement.
European Parliament president Martin Schulz told the EU leaders he expected them to ‘stand firm’ in negotiations with Britain, warning: ‘i refuse to imagine a Europe where lorries and hedge funds are free to cross borders but citizens are not.’
He was backed by French president Francois Hollande, who said: ‘if Madame Theresa May wants a hard Brexit, then talks will be hard too.’
The comments came ahead of a working dinner, when Britain was expected to be given only a short time to discuss the Brexit vote. During it Mrs May reiterated there would be no turning back on Brexit or a second referendum.
Many in Brussels are unhappy that Mrs May has said restoring control of Britain’s borders will be her priority in the Brexit talks. Currently, EU migration adds 180,000 people to the UK’s population every year.
Mr Schulz told the summit: ‘From day one, the European Parliament must be fully involved in setting the relationship between the EU and the UK – not least because it must consent to any withdrawal treaty and subsequent treaty setting out the full relationship.
‘ Treating the European Parliament as an obstacle rather than a partner in this would be a serious mistake.’
He repeatedly warned Britain that, if it wants access to the single market, it must continue to leave its borders open.
‘The fundamental freedoms are inseparable, i.e. no freedom of movement for goods, capital and services, without free movement of persons,’ he said.
The comments came despite Eurocrats insisting no talks on the detail of Brexit are allowed until the UK triggers Article 50 next year. No10 said it was relaxed about the remarks. one senior official added: ‘This does not change our approach.’
Tory MEP Syed Kamall, who leads the EU parliament’s European Conservatives and Reformists Group, said: ‘This is all posturing. EU leaders are blowing hard now but they’ll soon see sense when the detailed negotiations begin.’
on her way into the summit, Mrs May said: ‘i am here with a very clear message – the UK is leaving the EU but we will continue to play a full role until we leave and we’ll be a strong and dependable partner after we’ve left. it is in the interests of the UK and the EU that we continue to work closely together.’
Jeremy Corbyn yesterday invited socialist leaders to a meeting in london next year to discuss an ‘alternative Brexit’. May slaps down Hammond
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