Today Prime Minister Theresa May met with EU leaders, with the goal of coming to a compromise after Parliament rejected her Brexit deal last month, in the largest government defeat ever. This bill was defeated by 230 votes. The EU has agreed to a new round of formal negotiations on Brexit.
As the deadline approaches of 29th March 2019 at 11pm, Brexit becomes a more complicated issue. One of the key issues that many have had with May’s withdrawal agreement, especially those who would advocate a ‘No-Deal’ approach, was the ‘backstop’. This plan leaves the UK to operate within EU regulations, without representation in either the EU Council and the European Parliament. It’s fair to say that, regardless of whether you would wish to see the UK leave the EU or remain inside of it (or anything in between) that this is a far from ideal situation. Those who would rather remain in Europe are disappointed at the lack of involvement in Europe’s representative bodies. Those who want to leave believe that this is far from what they voted for. Perhaps the worst feature of May’s backstop is its indefinite nature. There is no set time limit on the backstop, and the UK doesn’t have the ability to withdraw unilaterally from this arrangement. This means that in theory, the EU could keep the UK in this limbo arrangement forever, a major concern. Whilst this would be unlikely, its possibility is terrifying. If May is able to negotiate an alteration to the withdrawal agreement, putting a time limit on the backstop, then there is a chance that she may be able to push her deal through Parliament. But that will likely depend on her persuading opposition MPs to back her deal.
The Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn has set out his party’s terms to back May’s deal. This letter to the Prime Minister which he published last night, includes five points that must be met in order for May to win Labour over. These points are summarised below:
- A permanent customs union, in line with the EU on customs regulations, external tariffs (trade from outside of the EU) and for the UK to have a say on future EU trade deals
- Close alignment with the Single Market
- ‘Dynamic alignment’ on rights and protections
- Continued collaboration with EU agencies and institutions
- Clear arrangement regarding security
Labour have debated amongst their party their stance on Brexit since the announcement of the referendum in 2016. The party’s views regarding Europe are more complex than those within the Conservative Party, where there has been a fairly binary split over Europe for decades. Regarding Labour, Corbyn has been a eurosceptic for his entire political career, yet due to the views of his party has been forced to alter his ideas. Some Labour MPs, such as Chuka Umunna and former Foreign Secretary Dame Margaret Beckett MP, back another Brexit referendum. Whilst others in the party such as John Mann MP did back May’s deal. Therefore, Corbyn has chosen a stance which hopes to appease europhiles, without the potential political fallout of backing a stance such as a second referendum. However, Labour’s changes in policy only seek to justify the building consensus that Labour doesn’t have a Brexit policy. Whilst backing a second referendum would be a risk for Labour, it would give them a clear position. Labour supporters want something tangible to stand for on Brexit, and this five-point plan simply doesn’t deliver that to the extent that is necessary at this late stage.
EU Council President Donald Tusk put out the following tweet Wednesday:
Tusk’s statement does hold some value. The referendum campaign failed to grasp the importance of the Brexit negotiation process in delivering Britain’s exit from Europe. Whilst former Brexit Secretary David Davis had the foresight in 2016 (after the referendum) to state that, ”It may be the most complicated negotiation of all time,” International Trade Secretary and prominent Brexiteer Liam Fox stated in 2017 that a free-trade deal after Brexit should be the ”Easiest in human history.” If the withdrawal agreement and draft political declaration have experienced such friction thus far, this statement is very unlikely to be made true. Despite splits among May’s cabinet before the trigger of Article 50, it is clear that there was not a clear government consensus going into Brexit negotiations. However, Tusk’s remarks were not professional, regardless of if they held truth within them. Now, with just 50 days to go, is not the time for EU leaders to be making provocative remarks against Brexiteers. Perhaps this situation has displayed just how little progress has been made since June 2016. There are still huge divisions, not only between Europe and the UK as a result of Brexit, but within the UK where people identify as Remainers, Leavers, ‘No-deal’ers and ‘People’s vote’ ers. Brexit had divided our nation, regardless of whether you fall into the 52% or the 48%.
Sources: The Telegraph; BBC News; The Guardian; Sky News; Express; TheyWorkForYou.
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