Crunch talks between Prime Minister Theresa May and the EU on her Brexit deal are likely to continue right up till last minute, says a leading politician.It is understood parliament will be given the chance to vote on her Brexit deal by January 21 at the latest.But Ashford MP Damian Green expects discussions between the Prime Minister and EU leaders to continue well into the new year.Scroll down for video Theresa May survived a vote of no confidence in her leadership in a dramatic day in which she had to fend off a challenge by rebel MPs on Wednesday.She is now holding meetings with EU leaders as she seeks additional assurances about the controversial Irish backstop element of her Brexit deal, which has proved unpopular among MPs of all political parties.Mr Green says the Prime Minister still has his support despite staunch criticism of her deal and is "optimistic" about a positive outcome.WATCH: Kent MP still optimistic about Brexit deal … [Read more...] about Brexit deal outcome ‘will be last minute’
Brexit
Penny Mordaunt fuels leadership speculation with plan for a managed no deal that could halve Brexit bill
Penny Mordaunt is expected to become the first Cabinet minister to unveil detailed plans for a “managed" no deal to slash the UK's Brexit bill in a move that will fuel leadership speculation. The International Development Secretary is set to unveil her own plans to unblock the Brexit logjam by agreeing the two-year transition period after Britain leaves the EU on March 29 to allow the UK to develop a "“maximum facilitation” scheme to trade with the European Union. This would involve the UK continuing paying £10billion a year into the EU while plans are laid for an organised exit in early 2021. A £20billion bill to take Britain out of the EU is just over half the planned £39billion “Brexit bill”... To continue reading this article Start your free trial of Premium Access all Premium articles Subscriber-only events Cancel any time Free for 30 days then only £2 per week Try Premium Access one Premium … [Read more...] about Penny Mordaunt fuels leadership speculation with plan for a managed no deal that could halve Brexit bill
The EU has a simple message on the Brexit deal: Like it or lump it
There was plenty of distracting detail in this summit. A spat about the word "nebulous" and a tense Juncker-May encounter played out for the cameras.But in terms of substance? This summit added up to one simple message from the EU: The deal is the deal.It is what it is.Like it or lump it and accept the consequences.May came here hoping to be thrown a bone - some diplomatic slack she could take home with her to persuade MPs to drag her deal across the line.There was, according to some reports, a draft conclusion agreed between the EU and the UK giving the PM some politically comforting words.They would have included a promise to carry on working towards assurances on the agreement.And there would be an acknowledgement that no one believes the use of the Irish border backstop is a "desirable outcome".But those lines, innocuous as they were, were ripped out, according to some reports because the Dutch, French and Belgians feared they would only encourage the Brexiteers to ask for more. … [Read more...] about The EU has a simple message on the Brexit deal: Like it or lump it
May Vows to Keep Pressing EU on Brexit Deal as Bloc Stands Pat
BRUSSELS—U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May said Friday she would press on with efforts to win assurances from European Union leaders on sweetening the Brexit deal, but EU officials said it was time for London to make decisions as no further talks were planned. On Thursday evening, EU leaders issued a statement intended to soothe British concerns about some of the most unpalatable aspects of the withdrawal agreement for London. But their words broke little new ground and offered none of the legal concessions Mrs. May had promised... … [Read more...] about May Vows to Keep Pressing EU on Brexit Deal as Bloc Stands Pat
Brexit deal ‘will be last minute’
Crunch talks between Prime Minister Theresa May and the EU on her Brexit deal are likely to continue right up till last minute, says a leading politician.It is understood parliament will be given the chance to vote on May's Brexit deal by January 21 at the latest.But Ashford MP Damian Green expects discussions between the Prime Minister and EU leaders to continue well into the new year.Scroll down for video Theresa May survived a vote of no confidence in her leadership in a dramatic day in which she had to fend off a challenge by rebel MPs on Wednesday.She is now holding meetings with EU leaders as she seeks additional assurances about the controversial Irish backstop element of her Brexit deal, which has proved unpopular among MPs of all political parties.Mr Green says the Prime Minister still has his support despite staunch criticism of her deal and is "optimistic" about a positive outcome.WATCH: Kent MP still optimistic about Brexit deal … [Read more...] about Brexit deal ‘will be last minute’