The government and Labour's Brexit wish lists are not wildly different. But political considerations make an agreement unlikely
announced a Brexit extension from April 12th to October 31st, Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, seemed anxious. “Please do not waste this time,” he begged. As if to justify his concern,In truth, they needed a rest after weeks of late-night debates and votes. And it is not as if nothing is happening. Theresa May’s government and Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour opposition are meeting, and have even set up working groups on such issues as workers’ rights, the environment and security.
This technical issue creates much political misunderstanding. The Irish backstop in effect includes a customs union for the whole United Kingdom, yet Mrs May insists that it is merely a customs “arrangement” and says a permanent customs union would cross her red lines. Mr Corbyn has echoed Brexiteers’ objections to Britain being stuck in the backstop, even though he favours a customs union. He wants to add a right to be at the table in futureOpponents of a customs union seem just as confused.
The real obstacle to any cross-party deal is political. Because of her lost authority in her party Mrs May cannot be seen to rub out any of her red lines. Any serious concessions to Labour would cost her even more support among Brexiteers and could lead to her being ousted. For his part Mr Corbyn has no wish to be tarred with helping to facilitate a Tory Brexit.
It is hard to avoid concluding that, even if agreement were possible in theory, it will not be reached in practice. Mrs May will then have to resort to her fallback, another round of parliamentary votes on different options, probably including her own deal. This time she promises to structure the votes to produce a majority for at least one of them. But it is not clear this will work.
What it will do is use up more of Mr Tusk’s extra time. And against the wishes of both main parties, that means Britain seems certain to take part in European elections on May 23rd . That vote promises to be the next crunch point in the unending Brexit story."Hard bargaining"
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UK's Lidington says Brexit talks with Labour to continue, will not last monthsThe British government's talks with the opposition Labour party on a Brexit...
Read more »
Lidington says Brexit talks with Labour to continue, will not last monthsThe British government's talks with the opposition Labour party on a Brexit...
Read more »
Opposition Labour Party denies newspaper report UK Brexit talks stalledBritain's opposition Labour Party denied a Guardian newspaper report on Tue...
Read more »
Brexit talks with Labour more constructive than people think: UK's HuntTalks between the British government and the opposition Labour Party to find con...
Read more »
Business Uncertainty Continues as Brexit Deadline Is Pushed BackAnother Brexit delay takes the pressure off the U.K.’s warring politicians to come to swift agreement on the terms of the country’s withdrawal from the European Union, extending a spell of uncertainty plaguing businesses and hobbling the wider economy.
Read more »
Conservative MPs fear May's Article 50 extension is the beginning of the end for BrexitTheresa May's decision to allow Brexit to be delayed by another 6 months has led to a growing belief that it will be stopped altogether.
Read more »
UK parliament 'very likely' to consider new Brexit referendum, says British finance ministerBritish finance minister Phillip Hammond said Friday he believed it was 'very likely' a second Brexit referendum would be put to parliament.
Read more »
Macron tests German patience in split over Brexit delayThe 'De Gaulle moment' that many had speculated about before Wednesday...
Read more »
UK PM May defends Brexit delay, critic asks her to resignBritish Prime Minister Theresa May defended her decision to delay Brexit and see...
Read more »
Macron tests German patience in split over Brexit delayThe 'De Gaulle moment' that many had speculated about before Wednesday...
Read more »