PM facing renewed pressure over EU divorce bill
THERESA MAY faced fresh Brexit pressure over a “divorce bill” which could total billions of pounds as she arrived in Brussels for potentially her last European Union leaders’ summit before triggering Article 50.
Irish premier Enda Kenny indicated he would back demands for Britain to pay an exit bill, which could reportedly rise to 60bn euro (£52bn).
The European Commission’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier refused to comment as he arrived on the prospect of the UK paying billions into the EU budget to honour outstanding commitments as it leaves.
But he later revealed that he agreed a “common position” on the budget regarding Brexit with Bulgarian president Rumen Radev, who will hold the rotating EU presidency for the first half
When you sign on you commit yourself to participation. Irish premier Enda Kenny
of 2018 – potentially a crucial period in negotiations.
Mr Barnier is seen as a key proponent of the idea of a “divorce deal” and has insisted an exit settlement must be reached before talks on a new deal can begin.
Mr Kenny meanwhile indicated he backs the idea. Speaking to reporters, the Irish Taoiseach said: “When you sign on for a contract you commit yourself to participation.
“And obviously the extent of that level of money will be determined. Mr Barnier is the lead negotiator for the European Union and obviously Britain will have a say.”
Downing Street also blamed Mrs May’s failure to appear in front of the media as she arrived at the summit on her late arrival after attending the unveiling of a memorial in London to those involved in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
DURING THE referendum campaign, I argued that the best way for us to leave the EU was via a transitional route, retaining our involvement in the European Economic Area through membership of the European Free Trade Association – what was referred to as the ‘Norway Option’ – while we negotiated our future relationship with the EU.
But I have now come to the conclusion that the Prime Minister was right in her Lancaster House speech. We must leave the single market and customs union – the only way we can bring back full control of our borders, laws, money and trade is through a clean break.
It’s going to be a complex process and we may have to agree some sort of transition arrangements for a limited period to give business time to adjust but I feel a sense of optimism and excitement at this opportunity.
When we leave the single market, we can reform our regulatory systems to ensure British businesses continue to thrive in an increasingly competitive world. By taking back control of our laws and moving away from the rigid top-down approach of Brussels, we will have the ability to build a more flexible and friendly business climate, whilst continuing to respect the rights of workers. By taking back control of our money, we can spend the billions that have been sent to the EU on this country’s priorities, like the NHS.
And when we leave the customs union, we will be free to negotiate free trade agreements with countries like the US, India, Canada and Australia. Since the referendum countries from across the world have signalled their intention to negotiate trade deals with us.
It’s great that Theresa May has already visited India and the US and that she’s going to China later this year. According to the Legatum Institute’s Special Trade Commission, Britain is well placed to to negotiate deals with like minded countries and help get global free trade back on track. And research from Change Britain, the cross-party campaign for a successful Brexit, shows that leaving the customs union and signing agreements with just eight countries could create 25,000 new jobs in Yorkshire and 400,000 across the UK.
Despite all the nonsense we heard from the Remain campaign in 2016, Britain was actually the fastest growing economy in the G7 and even the EU Commission has had to upgrade its growth forecast to reflect the strength of UK plc.
There will be bumps along the road but the signs are already looking really positive for Yorkshire. Last December, German supermarket giant Lidl announced 500 new jobs in a new £70m distribution centre in Doncaster and British car manufacturer McLaren is moving its £50m chassis production plant from Austria to Yorkshire, creating 200 new jobs.
In fact a recent survey shows that business activity in Yorkshire is growing at a faster rate than the rest of the UK.
As a businessman, I recognise that the Government’s position has provided much needed certainty. Efforts to obfuscate and delay our departure from the EU are wrong and in fact cause much damage. Die-hard remainers who refuse to accept the result need to stop trying to re-run old battles.
That is why I was disappointed to read an article by London PR man Roland Rudd in The Yorkshire Post last month arguing that the Government should adopt a ‘soft Brexit’ and keep us in the single market. It seems to me that some are trying to keep us in the EU through the back door by advocating a route that they spent years deriding. Far from the limited transition that I would have supported, some remain campaigners see this as a means to secure a future re-entry to the EU.
We will have the ability to build a more flexible and friendly business climate.
Such a direction of travel would disrespect the 57 per cent of voters in Yorkshire who voted to take back control and the vast majority who now want the Government to get on with it and grab this opportunity with both hands.
This is a once-in-a generation chance to really change this country for the better. By taking back control we can, as a country, exercise our newly-returned sovereignty.
It will be politicians accountable to the British people – not faceless Brussels bureaucrats – responsible for the decisions that affect our daily lives. By taking back control we will once again be able to have meaningful debate on a whole range of issues and I believe that is a hugely exciting prospect.
It’s time for the country to put the referendum behind it and come together behind a clean Brexit. Business people have a crucial role to play. It’s up to us to show confidence in our firms and workforces, and move quickly to seize this unprecedented opportunity. If we get this right, we can renew our country.