In the next seven days we are surely coming to the final chapter in the first part of the Book of Brexit. This Friday the PM has called a meeting of her cabinet at Chequers to try and reach a consensus on the contents of the white paper setting out the government's negotiating position for the future relationship. Not many think such a consensus exists in the present cabinet or that a position which bridges the huge divide can ever be found.
Normally, under this prime minister, it would be a case of more fudge and another round of can kicking. But we are now at the point when decisions must be made. Fudge is off the menu and there is no more road left to kick any cans down. Resignations are likely and I note there are reports of at least 20 cabinet ministers and others lining up to replace her (HERE).
At this critical moment in our country’s history, the time has now come to get tough in your negotiations with the European Union. We are looking to you to demonstrate courage and leadership in the face of those who seek to undermine the express wish of the British people in the 2016 referendum.
In order to satisfy this result and uphold our promise to the British people, after our formal departure on the 29th of March 2019, we will not accept:
- an extension of the transition period beyond 31st December 2020
- any extension to the two-year withdrawal period as stated in Article 50
- the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice over the UK in any form beyond the transitional period
- remaining part of a customs union or other similar entity
- any departure deal that prevents us from forging new trade deals
- free or preferential movement of people from the EU
- any deal without robust conditionality, linking the £39 billion financial settlement with a satisfactory free trade agreement
- any part of the United Kingdom being treated differently from the rest
Apart from anything else, these were the people who resisted any role for parliament because it would bind the government's hands. Now they want to apply a strait jacket. The sheer hypocrisy is astonishing. Virtually none of it is acceptable to Mrs May or the EU but it shows what she's up against.
On the other side as in an earlier post, the Daily Express (HERE) no less, are reporting there is no softening of the EU's position and Michel Barnier is coming under no pressure to shift at all.
Her chief negotiator, Olly Robbins is warning the cabinet there is no chance of a bespoke deal (HERE) and the choice is between a free trade deal like CETA (as per Canada) - which would mean economic disaster - or a Norway type EFTA/EEA deal where we become a rule taker or a vassal state. On one side is business (HERE), beginning to run out of patience with the procrastination between the status quo and industrial suicide, and on the other, the lunatic Brexiteers and the 17 million leave voters who are demanding Theresa May delivers what she promised. Or in most cases, what they promised themselves or forced her to promise.
It is going to be interesting if not pretty but however much one might sympathise with the PM she has brought a lot of it on herself by failing to explain the difficulties right at the start. Those who wanted to have their cake and eat it too, will have to be told there is no cake for anyone. The Conservative party is coming to the denouement of their 30 year feud and it will probably be brutal.
Their funding from the 20 largest donors in The City has fallen by 74% (HERE) in the past six months amid rising anger at the shambolic antics of the party and everyone connected with it. Divided, fractious, ill-tempered and poisonous, with funds running dry and the final battle looming it looks like a very long and very hot summer for the Tories. It cannot end well, and thank God for that.
