Boris inches closer to new Brexit deal
A Brexit breakthrough was in touching distance last night, but critical issues remain unresolved both in Brussels and Westminster ahead of tonight’s European Council.
Boris Johnson held his third meeting in three days with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) yesterday as he sought the support of the Conservative party’s informal partners.
DUP leader Arlene Foster rubbished suggestions that the last hurdle to a Brexit deal had been resolved, saying discussions were continuing on “a sensible deal which unionists and nationalists can support”.
During a turbulent day of negotiations Downing Street conceded that a deal would not be struck last night and insisted that the “mood music is encouraging”.
The issue of the Northern Ireland assembly’s oversight of future customs arrangements, known as consent, and the technical issue of customs arrangements, appeared to have been ironed out, leaving issues related to the future VAT regime as the final stumbling block.
A government spokesman declined to comment on specifics, but stressed issues were not solely with Brussels.
Number 10 also refused to confirm Johnson’s travel plans for tonight’s summit, but he could board a flight earlier in the day if it was felt that his presence could help move the talks along.
French President Emmanuel Macron told journalists yesterday: “I believe a [Brexit] deal is just being finalised.”
Speaking at the same time, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it was “the final sprint”, adding she was “increasingly of the belief” that a deal could be done.
The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier’s statement to the EU27 ambassadors last night laid the responsibility for getting a deal at the DUP’s feet, media in Brussels reported.
However, the European Council is not the only deadline the Prime Minister must be mindful of.
Steve Baker, head of the Tory Eurosceptic faction the European Research Group (ERG), which will carry around 28 votes, urged the Prime Minister to bring forward legal text for MPs to scrutinise ahead of the rare Saturday sitting this weekend.
Speaking after Johnson’s appearance before the Conservative backbench committee known as the 1922, Baker and other ERG members signalled that they would only be prepared to vote for something they were
confident could not be tweaked
subsequently.
It is also unclear whether Tory rebels will back the deal, although City PM understands that some of those who had the whip removed last month are expecting the vote to act as a route back to the party.
In an apparent pun on the imminent European Council, Johnson yesterday told MPs: “If we are on Everest, we are at the Hillary Step — we can see the summit, but it’s shrouded in clouds.”
MPs will today vote on the government motion to sit from 9:30am to 2pm on Saturday 19 October, the deadline set by the Benn Act for Johnson to secure parliamentary approval for a deal.
If he fails, the law stipulates that the Prime Minister must write a letter seeking an extension to Article 50.
Brexit secretary Steve Barclay yesterday confirmed that “firstly, the government will comply with the law, and secondly it will comply with undertakings given to the court in respect of the law”.
He also revealed that the UK had submitted a new political declaration to the EU as part of negotiations.
Once the battle returns to Westminster, Johnson will have a fight on his hands to secure enough votes in a divided parliament.
Main image: Getty