Talks falter as Labour asks for ‘real change’

Charles Hymas

Steven Swinford

TALKS to find a way out of the Brexit deadlock broke down yesterday as Labour accused the Government of failing to offer any real compromise.

Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, said he was “disappointed” that the Conservatives had failed to offer any changes to Theresa May’s Brexit deal after three days of discussions.

The party urged the Prime Minister to come forward with “real changes” in order to keep the process alive.

Downing Street, however, countered that it was prepared to pursue changes, had presented Labour with “serious” proposals and was ready to continue with the talks this weekend.

While some ministers claimed the two sides were close to an agreement, privately officials were sceptical and suggested there was little hope of progress. Mrs May needs the talks to carry the prospect of a resolution if she is to convince the EU next week to agree to extend Article 50 to her preferred date of June 30.

Ministers spent hours on Thursday poring over a four-page compromise to offer to Jeremy Corbyn when talks reopened yesterday.

One source familiar with the document said ministers had agreed to accept one of Labour’s central demands – “dynamic alignment” on workers’ rights and standards with the EU.

They also offered Parliament a role in shaping the future of the deal. However, they resisted Labour’s central demand – a customs union with the EU, instead referring only to offering the “benefits” of a customs union.

The Government also refused to commit to changes in the political declaration, which sets out the future relationship between the EU and the UK.

During the meeting The Daily Telegraph understands that Liam Fox, the International Trade Secretary and a vociferous opponent of a customs union, intervened to water down the section on the customs union.

A Labour statement at 5pm yesterday said: “We are disappointed that the Government has not offered real

‘We are disappointed that the Government has not offered real change or compromise’

change or compromise. We urge [Mrs May] to come forward with genuine changes ... in an effort to find an alternative that can win support in Parliament and bring the country together.”

Sir Keir said: “So far, the Government isn’t proposing any changes to the deal. In particular it’s not countenancing any changes to the actual wording of the political declaration. Obviously that’s disappointing; compromise requires change. We want the talks to continue ... but we do need change if we’re going to compromise.”

Rory Stewart, the prisons minister, told the BBC there was “quite a lot of life” left in the talks. He said the parties were “very, very close” and that it “should be possible to get this done”.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “We have made serious proposals in talks this week, and are prepared to pursue changes to the political declaration ... to deliver a deal that is acceptable to both sides. We are ready to hold further detailed discussions this weekend. The Government is determined to work constructively to deliver the Brexit people voted for, and avoid participation in the European Parliamentary elections.”

Both sides publicly remain committed to continuing talks, but last night officials privately conceded that they were “doomed”.