webfact Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Britain's May asks EU to help her end Brexit sniping at home By Elizabeth Piper and Noah Barkin Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the EU summit meeting in Brussels, Belgium, October 19, 2017. REUTERS/Dario Pignatelli BRUSSELS (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May appealed to European Union leaders to help her silence critics at home by signalling a willingness to break the deadlock in Brexit talks. Barring a surprise and despite May's plea over a summit dinner in Brussels late on Thursday, the EU will reject British demands for an immediate opening of post-Brexit trade negotiations on Friday and will instead set a target of December for London to improve its offer on a divorce settlement. But the leaders will make a gesture towards accelerating the process by launching their own preparations for a transition period that May has asked for and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said after the dinner that she had "absolutely no doubts" that Britain and the EU could get a good result on Brexit. In choreography that contrasted with images of May standing isolated in Brussels at previous summits, Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron were filmed by television cameras engaging the British prime minister in an animated conversation. In remarks delivered at the end of a dinner of butternut gnocchi and pheasant supreme, May sought to calm fears that Britain will use its departure in March 2019 to undercut the bloc's economy by lowering standards and taxes. Instead, she asked them to respond in kind to her efforts to break the Brexit stalemate, making clear she was disappointed at their plan to announce on Friday that talks have not yet made enough progress to move on to a discussion of future trade ties. May underlined the "difficult political background" she faces if she returns home empty-handed and said she had realised at the end of the summer what difficulties the talks were in. "I took stock, listened to what the people in the UK were saying and what my friends and partners in Europe were saying and I made a step forward," she was quoted as saying by a British official, referring to a speech she made on Sept. 22. She asked leaders to say, when delivering their verdict on talks so far, that "the clear and urgent imperative must be that the dynamic you create enables us to move forward together". There was no discussion after she spoke, according to an EU diplomat. Donald Tusk, the chairman of EU leaders, said only that the leaders took note of her comments. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told reporters that she had made no new proposals. Leaders will say, assuming no last-minute changes to a text agreed by their ministers, that they "welcome" advances made on some issues but that they were not enough. DIFFICULT POLITICS Weakened after losing her Conservatives' majority in a June election and by failing to rally support at an ill-fated party conference, May needs to keep the talks on the road to silence the voices calling for her to walk away from the negotiations. The talks have stalled largely over how much money Britain owes when it leaves the bloc, with EU leaders urging May on Thursday to give more detail on how she will settle the bill. May instead proposed more moves to protect the rights of EU citizens in Britain - one of three issues the bloc says must be settled before moving to discuss a future trading relationship. After May leaves the summit on Friday morning, the other 27 leaders are due to call on their staff to prepare for talks on the transition period. That may be enough for May to stave off an attempt by several Brexit campaigners for her to walk away. May's government has ruled out ending the talks, but the prime minister made clear to EU leaders that she "is working against a difficult political backdrop", the government official said. The official suggested she could not move beyond her offer on the financial settlement that she made in the Florence speech, but said she had referred then to several commitments. "There is increasingly a sense that we must work together to get to an outcome we can stand behind and defend to our people," she told the leaders, according to the official. She spoke of a "framework that allows for a close economic partnership that sets rights and obligations in a new and different balance supporting prosperity for all our peoples". Talk of a shift in rights and obligations would please EU leaders, who have criticised Britain for trying to "have its cake and eat it", retaining access to EU markets without having to follow its rules. They say that Britain will have fewer rights once it shakes off many of its obligations to the EU. "We should be optimistic and ambitious about what we can achieve," May said. "As we share the same set of fundamental beliefs in free trade, rigorous and fair competition, strong consumer rights and high regulatory standards." ($1 = 0.8449 euros) (Additional reporting by Gabriela Baczynska, Jan Strupczewski and Alastair Macdonald; Editing by Alastair Macdonald) -- © Copyright Reuters 2017-10-20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samui Bodoh Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 27 minutes ago, webfact said: British Prime Minister Theresa May appealed to European Union leaders to help her silence critics at home by signalling a willingness to break the deadlock in Brexit talks. Why would the Europe leaders help the UK? Why should the Europe leaders help the UK? C'mon UK, you made your decision. Suck it up and move on... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klauskunkel Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 2 hours ago, webfact said: In remarks delivered at the end of a dinner of butternut gnocchi and pheasant supreme I deliver my remarks over microwave spaghetti from 7/Eleven, but then again, I'm not funded by tax payers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srikcir Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 7 hours ago, webfact said: "the clear and urgent imperative must be that the dynamic you create enables us to move forward together". Brexit is a divorce, not a marriage. There is no "together." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dick dasterdly Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 6 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said: Why would the Europe leaders help the UK? Why should the Europe leaders help the UK? C'mon UK, you made your decision. Suck it up and move on... Agree entirely with the first 2 paras. The EU has every incentive to hope that the political discord will result in the UK remaining within the EU - or rather, 'exiting', with no actual exit in real terms. e.g. still paying similar amounts of money to the EU, and no change in the open borders policy etc. We all know that the vast majority of UK MPs supported the remain cause, and most (?) of us are sure that they are only 'changing their tune' (to a certain extent) to remain electable to their constituents. At this point in time, it's obvious that the EU has no interest in negotiating - which makes a further transitional period (beyond the set leaving date) pointless IMO, as it just continues the uncertainty. Surely better to end the uncertainty NOW and state that the UK is leaving in '19 - as per the Article 50 terms? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb17 Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 9 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said: Why would the Europe leaders help the UK? Why should the Europe leaders help the UK? C'mon UK, you made your decision. Suck it up and move on... May I be so bold to ask your nationality? I would guess American - C’mon is not really a term us Brits would use. Can you imagine the USA condoning thousands of laws being made by un-elected EU commissioners simply being written into your laws? ( and of course always protecting the Germans & French ) We were not in a prison - the treaties allow for a member to leave if they so wish . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enoon Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, peterb17 said: May I be so bold to ask your nationality? I would guess American - C’mon is not really a term us Brits would use. Can you imagine the USA condoning thousands of laws being made by un-elected EU commissioners simply being written into your laws? ( and of course always protecting the Germans & French ) We were not in a prison - the treaties allow for a member to leave if they so wish . No one is stopping the UK from leaving. Effectively the UK government is demanding discussions about post-departure concessions (which were/are not part of the departure procedure which the UK initiated) before it "goes quietly". Like a woman filing for divorce, then seeking to invoke a pre-nup.......that never existed in the first place. The UKs Conservative government has f***** up, big time, and is trying to lay the blame on the EU. Edited October 20, 2017 by Enoon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunroaming Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 3 hours ago, dick dasterdly said: Agree entirely with the first 2 paras. The EU has every incentive to hope that the political discord will result in the UK remaining within the EU - or rather, 'exiting', with no actual exit in real terms. e.g. still paying similar amounts of money to the EU, and no change in the open borders policy etc. We all know that the vast majority of UK MPs supported the remain cause, and most (?) of us are sure that they are only 'changing their tune' (to a certain extent) to remain electable to their constituents. At this point in time, it's obvious that the EU has no interest in negotiating - which makes a further transitional period (beyond the set leaving date) pointless IMO, as it just continues the uncertainty. Surely better to end the uncertainty NOW and state that the UK is leaving in '19 - as per the Article 50 terms? I agree apart from the last sentence. I don't think it is better to end it so abruptly. We are certainly on the back foot but need to try to salvage something from this mess. What happened to democracy? As you rightly say the majority of MPs supported remain but now they are being instructed to back the PM's Brexit. How is that democratic when you are being forced to vote against what you feel is the best for your constituents? What I can't understand is why the Brexiteers are not screaming at the Brexit negotiators that this is not what they were promised and not what they voted for. All the Brexit voices have done a one hundred percent U-turn going from we are going to get a great deal from the EU to now saying that we will probably walk away with no deal at all. How is that delivering what's best for the British people? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunroaming Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 So we are now looking to December before any decisions will be made as to whether we can move on to the next stage of negotiations. No real surprise there and listening to the latest statements from both sides it seems that behind closed doors May is getting ready to agree a divorce figure. That is clearly still the sticking point. If in December we cannot move forward then I think May will be toast. There will be a revolt from the back benches then I am sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khun Han Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 3 minutes ago, dunroaming said: So we are now looking to December before any decisions will be made as to whether we can move on to the next stage of negotiations. No real surprise there and listening to the latest statements from both sides it seems that behind closed doors May is getting ready to agree a divorce figure. That is clearly still the sticking point. If in December we cannot move forward then I think May will be toast. There will be a revolt from the back benches then I am sure. I wish I had a crystal ball too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouse Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 9 hours ago, klauskunkel said: I deliver my remarks over microwave spaghetti from 7/Eleven, but then again, I'm not funded by tax payers... At least it wasn't Grouse! Who cares about peasants? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baerboxer Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 4 hours ago, Srikcir said: Brexit is a divorce, not a marriage. There is no "together." Spot on. And not all divorces are amicable and often one or more partner is spiteful and determined to screw the other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouse Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 4 hours ago, dick dasterdly said: Agree entirely with the first 2 paras. The EU has every incentive to hope that the political discord will result in the UK remaining within the EU - or rather, 'exiting', with no actual exit in real terms. e.g. still paying similar amounts of money to the EU, and no change in the open borders policy etc. We all know that the vast majority of UK MPs supported the remain cause, and most (?) of us are sure that they are only 'changing their tune' (to a certain extent) to remain electable to their constituents. At this point in time, it's obvious that the EU has no interest in negotiating - which makes a further transitional period (beyond the set leaving date) pointless IMO, as it just continues the uncertainty. Surely better to end the uncertainty NOW and state that the UK is leaving in '19 - as per the Article 50 terms? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHolmesJr Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 She's quite the dumbo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baerboxer Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 10 minutes ago, Grouse said: At least it wasn't Grouse! Who cares about peasants? I like a nice Grouse, with rich gravy and roast potatoes. Hmmm. Where did you say you live in Thailand again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouse Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 3 minutes ago, Baerboxer said: I like a nice Grouse, with rich gravy and roast potatoes. Hmmm. Where did you say you live in Thailand again Get stuffed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb17 Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 1 hour ago, Enoon said: No one is stopping the UK from leaving. Effectively the UK government is demanding discussions about post-departure concessions (which were/are not part of the departure procedure which the UK initiated) before it "goes quietly". Like a woman filing for divorce, then seeking to invoke a pre-nup.......that never existed in the first place. The UKs Conservative government has f***** up, big time, and is trying to lay the blame on the EU. I don’t think I replied to you- never mind. Do you understand the concept of democracy- often the political climate changes due to rise of new parties ( UKIP ) . If there is no support - they disappear. There has been dissatisfaction with the EU for a long time- you blame the conservatives- what precipitated this was Labour’s opening up the borders to millions of Eastern Europeans . There is no provision for a vast divorce settlement in the treaty. It is not legal. It is only money that the commission is worried about - just greed- heaven forbid they might lose their chauffeurs and foie gras Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunroaming Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 10 minutes ago, Baerboxer said: Spot on. And not all divorces are amicable and often one or more partner is spiteful and determined to screw the other. I agree although I think only one side is likely to get screwed here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouse Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Just now, peterb17 said: I don’t think I replied to you- never mind. Do you understand the concept of democracy- often the political climate changes due to rise of new parties ( UKIP ) . If there is no support - they disappear. There has been dissatisfaction with the EU for a long time- you blame the conservatives- what precipitated this was Labour’s opening up the borders to millions of Eastern Europeans . There is no provision for a vast divorce settlement in the treaty. It is not legal. It is only money that the commission is worried about - just greed- heaven forbid they might lose their chauffeurs and foie gras Is it just the poor that are so anti EU? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baerboxer Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 4 minutes ago, Grouse said: Get stuffed! That's not nice Grousy. I don't like stuffing. Spoils the flavor of the bird. Click, click, ................................................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommysboy Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, Enoon said: No one is stopping the UK from leaving. Effectively the UK government is demanding discussions about post-departure concessions (which were/are not part of the departure procedure which the UK initiated) before it "goes quietly". Like a woman filing for divorce, then seeking to invoke a pre-nup.......that never existed in the first place. The UKs Conservative government has f***** up, big time, and is trying to lay the blame on the EU. I mostly agree particularly with your summary statement. It's not so black and white about the order of negotiations-that agenda was set by the EU and is not in the rule book- because issues are intertwined, eg, the extent of a final figure, if any, is very much dependent on what sort of arrangment we have going forward. The UK Government is hopeless in all aspects. Interested posters should note that when we speak of the UK's wishes we are in fact talking about just more than half of the voters, and most of them assumed we'd have a similar trading relationship- it was expressly stated. Edited October 20, 2017 by mommysboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunroaming Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 The trouble with us Brits is that we are all so bloody stubborn and never want to admit we are wrong. Now we are either blaming the government or the EU for the situation we are in. In reality we created this mess ourselves. Now no matter whether you are a Brexiteer or not I think we can all agree that this is an almighty mess! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thongkorn Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 4 hours ago, dunroaming said: The trouble with us Brits is that we are all so bloody stubborn and never want to admit we are wrong. Now we are either blaming the government or the EU for the situation we are in. In reality we created this mess ourselves. Now no matter whether you are a Brexiteer or not I think we can all agree that this is an almighty mess! Who is wrong, The Electorate voted to leave, The Government should just get on and leave, Its Only a mess because the EU want a mess, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khun Han Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 10 hours ago, dunroaming said: The trouble with us Brits is that we are all so bloody stubborn and never want to admit we are wrong. Now we are either blaming the government or the EU for the situation we are in. In reality we created this mess ourselves. Now no matter whether you are a Brexiteer or not I think we can all agree that this is an almighty mess! Brexiters didn't create the mess. Disruptive remainers and the EU did. Brexiters wanted a neat and tidy separation. Remainers and the EU have done everything in their power to create the almighty mess. But you knew that anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nausea Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 I see the blame game has already begun; does anybody still believe, I mean really believe, this is going to be a success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommysboy Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 1 hour ago, Khun Han said: Brexiters didn't create the mess. Disruptive remainers and the EU did. Brexiters wanted a neat and tidy separation. Remainers and the EU have done everything in their power to create the almighty mess. But you knew that anyway. Oh yeah! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khun Han Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Just now, mommysboy said: Oh yeah! Uh! So brexiters wanted as difficult a divorce from the EU as possible did they? And Vince, Tony et al have been doing their bit to make brexit as smooth as possible have they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommysboy Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 1 minute ago, Khun Han said: Uh! So brexiters wanted as difficult a divorce from the EU as possible did they? And Vince, Tony et al have been doing their bit to make brexit as smooth as possible have they? Brexiteers have gone in without the heft and consensus of thought to put together a cohesive plan. Anybody with any sense will try to scupper their efforts, because it is very damaging to the nation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khun Han Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Just now, mommysboy said: Brexiteers have gone in without the heft and consensus of thought to put together a cohesive plan. Anybody with any sense will try to scupper their efforts, because it is very damaging to the nation. Utter rubbish. Brexiters were not offered a plan by the sitting government. Theresa May has acknowledged the democratic necessity of brexit and valiantly taken the baton to enact it, a noble political endeavour which has encountered all kinds of anti-democratic/vested interest opposition. And then there's the EU. Please provide one iota of proof that brexit is damaging to the nation. Currency fluctuation is a fail. We're seeing the benefits of this now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouse Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-uk-public-go-badly-leave-eu-remainer-brexiteer-no-deal-theresa-may-trade-deal-economy-a8011771.html Even the masses are waking up to this mess. Call the whole thing off and concentrate on more important issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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