May to warn Europe it has much to lose if talks fail
PM BRIEFS HER CABINET AHEAD OF KEY SPEECH
THERESA MAY will tell European leaders they have as much to lose as Britain if the Brexit talks fail as she sets out proposals for a transition period as the country’s EU membership comes to an end.
The Prime Minister will call for a “time limited” spell to allow businesses breathing space to prepare for life outside the EU in an effort to move Brexit talks forward.
Mrs May is expected to set out the Government’s position on key elements of the UK’s negotiating position including the thorny question of future contributions to the EU budget.
Her speech, to be delivered in Florence, will be closely followed in Brussels amid ongoing criticism from leading European figures that the UK is failing to address major questions.
It will also be an opportunity to reassert her authority over the direction of the Government’s approach to Brexit following a week dominated by the antics of Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.
She will say: “While the UK’s departure from the EU is inevitably a difficult process, it is in all of our interests for our negotiations to succeed.
“So I believe we share a profound sense of responsibility to make this change work smoothly and sensibly, not just for people today but for the next generation who will inherit the world we leave them.”
The Prime Minister briefed a Cabinet meeting on the contents of her speech yesterday.
Afterwards Mr Johnson and Chancellor Philip Hammond, who have been battling over the UK’s approach to Brexit, left together, which is being seen as an apparent attempt to signal government unity.
The pair yesterday faced withering criticism from Nick Timothy, a former advisor to Mrs May. He wrote in the Daily
Telegraph: “Boris Johnson and Philip Hammond – who has also been on Brexit manoeuvres this summer – must understand that the surest route to a bad deal, or no deal at all, is to go on behaving as they are.”
It is in all of our interests for our negotiations to succeed. What Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to say in her Florence speech.
THERESA MAY will attempt to placate both wings of her party as she attempts to kickstart the Brexit talks today.
The Prime Minister will seek to allay concerns that Britain is heading for a ‘cliff-edge’ as she sets out a plan for a transition period to give business more time to adapt to life outside the EU.
But she will also address fears among some Cabinet colleagues that Britain will not fully leave the EU with a promise that any transition would be “time-limited”.
In what will be seen as an attempt to seize the Brexit agenda back from Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who used a newspaper article last week to talk up Britain’s prospects outside the EU, Mrs May will say the “future is bright”.
In a speech delivered in Florence, she will say: “Our fundamental strengths are considerable; a legal system respected around the world; a keen openness to foreign investment; and enthusiasm for innovation; an ease of doing business; some of the best universities and researchers you can find anywhere; an exceptional national talent for creativity and an indomitable spirit.”
Mrs May is expected to try and move the Brexit talks forward with a more detailed offer on the UK’s contributions to the EU budget and its approach to the socalled ‘divorce bill’.
Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, yesterday expressed frustration that “major questions” remain unanswered on the UK’s approach to Brexit.
Mr Barnier has repeatedly warned there will be no discussions over future trading arrangements between the UK and EU until progress has been made on the rights of EU nationals, the Irish border and the ‘divorce bill’.
In a speech to the European Parliament, Mr Barnier said he would “listen attentively and constructively” what Mrs May has to say.
He warned time was running out to reach agreement before Britain leaves in March 2019.
“The question facing us over the coming months is serious, but simple: will the United Kingdom leave in an orderly fashion with an agreement, or not?” he said.
Amid reports that Mrs May will effectively offer a £20bn settlement as part of Brexit. Lib Dem leader Vince Cable insisted the true cost of leaving will be much higher.
Dr Cable said: “This government is being utterly reckless with the public finances by preparing to spend an absolute fortune simply to get out of Europe.
“This £20bn does not cover liabilities such as pensions and infrastructure projects already agreed to.
“Nor does it cover the cost of access to the single market. And nor does it cover the cost to the Exchequer in reduced tax receipts due to the slowdown in the economy.”
The Prime Minister also faced renewed calls to leave the option of Britain remaining in the European single market on the table.
Labour MP and former shadow health secretary Heidi Alexander, speaking for the Open Britain campaign group, said: “It’s staggering that the Government have taken over a year to accept the blindingly obvious.
“We will need a transition period and we will have to be realistic about our financial obligations before talks can progress.
“The clock is still ticking and the Government is in danger of simply replacing one cliff edge with another, as we still have absolutely no idea what our future trading relationship with the EU will be.”