May's Brexit talks with Labour stall, delay request fails to convince EU

By Alistair Smout and Gabriela Baczynska

 

British Prime Minister Theresa May is seen outside Downing Street in London, Britain, April 3, 2019. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

 

LONDON/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour Party said on Friday that talks with the government on a last-ditch Brexit deal had made no progress, as EU leaders said Prime Minister Theresa May had not convinced them that they should let Britain delay its departure next week.

 

May wrote to Brussels asking European Union leaders to postpone Britain's exit from next Friday until June 30. But they have insisted that she must first show a viable plan to secure agreement on her divorce deal in the deadlocked parliament.

 

Labour, which she turned to reluctantly after failing three times to get her deal passed, said the government "has not offered real change or compromise" in three days of talks.

 

"We urge the prime minister to come forward with genuine changes to her deal," a statement said.

 

Labour Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said his party wanted the talks to go on, and a spokesman for May's office said the government had "made serious proposals" in the talks and wanted them to continue over the weekend "in order to deliver a deal that is acceptable to both sides".

 

May badly needs evidence of a viable divorce strategy to persuade the other 27 EU leaders at a summit next Wednesday to grant a delay, preferably on her preferred departure date.

 

Any extension would require unanimous approval from the other EU countries, all weary of Britain's Brexit indecision, and could come with conditions.

 

"If we are not able to understand the reason why the UK is asking for an extension, we cannot give a positive answer," said French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire. German Justice Minister Katarina Barley tweeted: "This playing for time must end."

 

Deep divisions in May's Conservative Party and government, and in Labour, have led to a marathon of votes in parliament, in which scenarios ranging from abandoning the EU with no transition period to cancelling Brexit have all been defeated.

 

Last Friday, May did the unthinkable by asking Labour to negotiate with her on a deal that might work for both - although some in Labour said she was luring the party into sharing responsibility for her failure.

 

LETTER TO BRUSSELS

 

Hoping this would satisfy EU leaders, May wrote to EU summit chair Donald Tusk proposing a delay until June 30 at the latest, accepting that Britain might have to hold European Parliament elections on May 23, which she had hoped to avoid.

 

"The government will want to agree a timetable for ratification that allows the United Kingdom to withdraw from the European Union before 23 May, 2019, and therefore cancel the European Parliament elections, but will continue to make responsible preparations to hold the elections should this not prove possible," the letter said.

 

So far, there has been little appetite in Brussels for an extension that could create another cliff edge in three months. May asked two weeks ago for a delay until June 30, only to be turned down.

 

Tusk is planning to propose an extension of a year, which could also be shortened if Britain ratifies the withdrawal agreement, senior EU officials said.

 

"The only reasonable way out would be a long but flexible extension. I would call it a 'flextension'," one official said.

 

"It seems to be a good scenario for both sides, as it gives the UK all the necessary flexibility, while avoiding the need to meet every few weeks to further discuss Brexit extensions."

 

But Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said May's letter raised questions, adding: "We hope for more clarity from London before next Wednesday."

 

And France, which wants the EU to move on to other business including reforms proposed by President Emmanuel Macron, indicated it was not ready to accept any delay without a clear plan.

 

"If we are not able to understand the reason why the UK is asking for an extension, we cannot give a positive answer," Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told reporters in Bucharest.

 

SECOND REFERENDUM?

 

Sterling fell against the U.S. dollar immediately after Labour's comments and stood 0.5 percent down on the day.

 

With time running out, it was not clear how Britain would avoid the abrupt "no-deal" departure that business leaders in Britain and also neighbouring Ireland say would cause huge disruption.

 

Germany, as one of those with most to lose from a sudden dislocation of trade, has been one of those most tolerant of Britain's turmoil.

 

Justice Minister Barley tweeted that "there can only be an extension with a clear direction", but also proposed a potential way out by adding: "This includes the question of a second referendum."

 

The idea of asking Britons - who voted by 52 percent to 48 to leave the EU three years ago - to confirm or reject any divorce deal has been gaining ground in Britain.

 

Yet May herself and many lawmakers in both main parties are strongly opposed, saying it would betray voters and undermine democracy, especially if it offered an option to stay in the EU.

 

Both main parties made commitments after the referendum to deliver Brexit, but they never settled on a plan for how to leave or what future relationship to seek.

 

May long insisted that her plan - quitting all EU institutions, with a 21-month standstill period to negotiate a bespoke free trade deal - was the only viable one. But it still split her cabinet and infuriated the most eurosceptic of her Conservatives.

 

Labour wants closer ties than May has sought, including a customs union, which she has so far ruled out. Many Labour members of parliament insist that any agreement must be put to a second public vote.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-04-06

 

 

Spot the secret code word in her letter to Donald:

Oh look, it seems like Tony Blair has been scurrying around trying to twist the situation:

 

 

27 minutes ago, Topdoc said:

Oh look, it seems like Tony Blair has been scurrying around trying to twist the situation:

 

 

 

How quaint. A Brexiter making empty threats. And they accuse others of "Project Fear"

 

Arse-holes like O'Flynn won't have a job much longer. Unless the Brexit boys have promised him a nice safe Westminster seat for being their parrot,

No deal, No problem.

 

Enough already, the EU should just call it. The world won't come to an end, no doubt we and Europe will survive, but talk about a lose-lose situation.

I sincerely wish the eu woulsd say enough..NO DEAL IT IS..but how would the German taxpayers feel..being the brussels atm for subsidy junkie eu member states[emoji6][emoji6]

Enough already, the EU should just call it. The world won't come to an end, no doubt we and Europe will survive, but talk about a lose-lose situation.

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As often predicted by those with experience of EU deals, they're all taking it right to the line again. From CNN: 

further discussions will take place before European leaders meet in Brussels Wednesday, two days before the current Brexit deadline of April 12.

Treasonous Theresa and Comrade Corbyn are unlikely to reach a consensus, so the impasse 'Remains' within the UK. The EU could be the ones to break it for us. I'd prefer them to refuse another delay and leave us to Leave No Deal, however we all know they won't. As it is now admitted to be a serious Lose/Lose situation, why doesn't the EU introduce some concessions to their god awful pact with May? They are the eleventh hour specialists and a few major deletions could see it put to the HOC again, but this time with significant and meaningful changes. Jacob Rees Mogg will tell them what he wants.

Article 50 was written to deal with the situation when the addition of a  new member to the EU had problems

Article 50 detailed the process of forced exit.

 The author of the piece never envisage a circumstance when an established member would leave. Never in a million years.

So the process is to detail the cost of exit –followed by any new arrangement. This makes sense.

This arrangement is totally unsuited to the

 UK ‘s position. The exit and the future should be discussed in parallel.

Hence  the mess.

It is unlikely that article 50  will  be modified to suit the UK.

Maybe it should be.

As things stand the EU holds all the cards.

Even if it were to be modified the Irish problem remains

Brexiteers pinning their hopes on the EU taking control of Brexit.

 

Irony lives.

Talks with Labour just another stalling stunt...

The UK politics talking about loosing face.

Europeans are watching their theatre and laughing.

Thats an island we really gonna screw financially.. Nobody wants live in rainy England so now all these Britisch will get screwed for relocation to south Europe in uncountable ways a real gold mine.

Hard to see what May or Labour are playing at here.  Labour saying that the talks have stalled because May still refuses to budge on the details of her deal and Hammond is saying that they are still talking and he thinks they can find an agreement.

 

Beggars belief!

4 minutes ago, dunroaming said:

Hard to see what May or Labour are playing at here.  Labour saying that the talks have stalled because May still refuses to budge on the details of her deal and Hammond is saying that they are still talking and he thinks they can find an agreement.

 

Beggars belief!

Well it is just like her deal no movement just change a few words for ones with the same meaning...

 

3 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

How quaint. A Brexiter making empty threats. And they accuse others of "Project Fear"

 

Arse-holes like O'Flynn won't have a job much longer. Unless the Brexit boys have promised him a nice safe Westminster seat for being their parrot,

What comes over most strongly is not the silly threatening content, but the way O'Flynn actually speaks, like a diseased parrot stuttering through his pre written nonsense. You watch him speak and think "Will someone please put him out of his misery". Heaven knows he needs a different job. 

12 minutes ago, Nigel Garvie said:

What comes over most strongly is not the silly threatening content, but the way O'Flynn actually speaks, like a diseased parrot stuttering through his pre written nonsense. You watch him speak and think "Will someone please put him out of his misery". Heaven knows he needs a different job. 

But if u compare that to the dancing moves of May than what is worse?

whats next the moonwalk?

53 minutes ago, dunroaming said:

Hard to see what May or Labour are playing at here.  Labour saying that the talks have stalled because May still refuses to budge on the details of her deal and Hammond is saying that they are still talking and he thinks they can find an agreement.

 

Beggars belief!

Recent statistical analysis of voting patters suggests that the Tories would be very unwise to hold a GE. May has a problem with several rather large groups of voters, younger people, ethnic minorities, and women. "A strategy that focuses on a hard Brexit approach from the right of the party won't win the coalition of voters from diverse communities that is needed to govern". "Some UKIP voters might be attracted, but that would be overshadowed by the votes lost in the middle ground, which is still the heart of UK politics". 

 

So it's old white men who the right now relies on, and their hold on power is dwindling fast in the UK, and soon the US and in other countries which it is not necessary to mention. Not good news for TV posters I'm afraid. 

 

BTW the statistics are from an academic source, so Brexiteers please spare us from your "Remainer conspiracy" nonsense, it's getting rather monotonous having to read that stuff. 

 
So it's old white men who the right now relies on, and their hold on power is dwindling fast in the UK, and soon the US and in other countries which it is not necessary to mention. Not good news for TV posters I'm afraid. 

Both parties would be unwise to go for a GE at the moment. They would both be decimated.
Old white men, and the not so old and women, all have a vote. Their vote is just as good as anybody else’s. They are still the majority and will continue to be. This whole Brexit and its’ shenanigans of the political class has woken up millions of them. The Next GE will show some big swings away from the usual parties.
The US hasn’t changed much either. Donald will have a second term. Not good news for the Democrats, but that’s all good.

59 minutes ago, Destiny1990 said:

But if u compare that to the dancing moves of May than what is worse?

whats next the moonwalk?

Agreed, the image of Corbyn and May dancing together is one I am trying hard to get out of my mind. 

Just as well it wasn't a romantic pose of corbyn and diane abbot[emoji6]

Agreed, the image of Corbyn and May dancing together is one I am trying hard to get out of my mind. 

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On ‎4‎/‎6‎/‎2019 at 11:35 AM, malagateddy said:

I sincerely wish the eu woulsd say enough..NO DEAL IT IS..but how would the German taxpayers feel..being the brussels atm for subsidy junkie eu member states

 

With so much more exports, and.. less costs for the imported products… see the EU contribution as.. trade commissioen, and everybody is happy.

see  https://fullfact.org/europe/claim-about-uks-eu-contribution-correct-meaningless/  

and  https://www.politico.eu/2019-european-elections/germany/  , troggle between 2014 and 2019, only ONE party, who speaks abotu a Gexit: from 7,3 % to now 13 %. Not all EU-citizens are such a foot-shooters as the Brits..

Therefore, we should have the UK thrown out under Thatcher already.

On ‎4‎/‎6‎/‎2019 at 11:24 AM, nausea said:

Enough already, the EU should just call it. The world won't come to an end, no doubt we and Europe will survive, but talk about a lose-lose situation.

Why "lose-lose"?  I presume you mean: a "small win-big lose"! 

The remaining 26 EU member states will loose some of the exports to the UK, but for quite some the Brits have no cheaper alternative, even WITH import duty. But.. we also loose the UK as competitor, as .. for many output of the "make" industry, like cars ( Nissan, Honda,), but also Industrial components: 10 % import duty. For petrol products, € 2 BILLION of value; 20% import duty, so good for the refining industry in EU. Meat, seen all vetrinary problems,... forget it. Sweets & confectionary 13,7% , so.. bye-bye Rowntree Macintosh etc. see  https://www.statista.com/statistics/307380/uk-united-kingdom-confectionery-chocolate-exports-value-annually/

Last-but-not-least: quite some businesses already opened subsidiaries in continental EU, so Brits; thanks for throwing out these jobs, more to follow.

 

On ‎4‎/‎6‎/‎2019 at 9:51 AM, wombat said:

No deal, No problem.

 

yes, the absolute, dream high, landsliding, overwhelming 51,88 % for leave , with just a mare 48,11 %, remain. This is British democracy: the mayority gets all. See the Newport West bye-election:  39,5% of the electorate = seat, with ZERO for the 60,5% of the ellectorate. With this, 50+1 of the constituencies.. = 20% of the voters, you have a British majority government.

On ‎4‎/‎6‎/‎2019 at 12:14 PM, Loiner said:

why doesn't the EU introduce some concessions to their god awful pact with May? 

When the British could agree WHERE the EU - UK border will be.. it would solve a lot. A border between N-S Ireland would mean, a British Good Friday peace agreement of 20 years ago would be violated now already. The value of a British contract. Only Hitler broke his signed agreements faster.

On 4/6/2019 at 5:14 PM, Loiner said:

impasse

How ironic that the most appropriate word used most often to describe Britain’s tragi-comedic ham-handed endeavor to get out of Europe is of French origin!

On 4/6/2019 at 1:23 PM, Nigel Garvie said:

Recent statistical analysis of voting patters suggests that the Tories would be very unwise to hold a GE. May has a problem with several rather large groups of voters, younger people, ethnic minorities, and women. "A strategy that focuses on a hard Brexit approach from the right of the party won't win the coalition of voters from diverse communities that is needed to govern". "Some UKIP voters might be attracted, but that would be overshadowed by the votes lost in the middle ground, which is still the heart of UK politics". 

 

So it's old white men who the right now relies on, and their hold on power is dwindling fast in the UK, and soon the US and in other countries which it is not necessary to mention. Not good news for TV posters I'm afraid. 

 

BTW the statistics are from an academic source, so Brexiteers please spare us from your "Remainer conspiracy" nonsense, it's getting rather monotonous having to read that stuff. 

When have the Tories and Labour noted public opinion?

Also to note is Labour will not benefit much from a General Election at this time.

One big opinion poll last Thursday the Newport West By-Election...

 

Newport West by-election	2019
	Votes 2019	Votes 2017		Change%
Labour	9308	22723	-13415	-12.7
Conservative	7357	17065	-9708	-8
UKIP	2023	1100	923	6.1
Plaid Cymru	1185	1077	108	2.5
Liberal Democrat	1088	976	112	2.4
Greens	928	497	431	2.8
Others	1630	0	1630
Majority	1951	5658	-3707	-4.7
Turnout	23515	43438	-19923	-30.5
Registered electors	63623	64399	-776	1.2

On 4/6/2019 at 6:09 PM, dunroaming said:

Hard to see what May or Labour are playing at here.  Labour saying that the talks have stalled because May still refuses to budge on the details of her deal and Hammond is saying that they are still talking and he thinks they can find an agreement.

 

Beggars belief!

and on top of that the EU seems to be saying, "p1ss off already"

10 hours ago, Basil B said:

When have the Tories and Labour noted public opinion?

Also to note is Labour will not benefit much from a General Election at this time.

One big opinion poll last Thursday the Newport West By-Election...

 

Newport West by-election	2019
	Votes 2019	Votes 2017		Change%
Labour	9308	22723	-13415	-12.7
Conservative	7357	17065	-9708	-8
UKIP	2023	1100	923	6.1
Plaid Cymru	1185	1077	108	2.5
Liberal Democrat	1088	976	112	2.4
Greens	928	497	431	2.8
Others	1630	0	1630
Majority	1951	5658	-3707	-4.7
Turnout	23515	43438	-19923	-30.5
Registered electors	63623	64399	-776	1.2

Yes - there are clear signs that both of the larger parties are seriously pi#sing voters off at the moment. The Labour politburo with Eurosceptic toffs Murray and Milne holding Corbyn's puppet strings, are well out of tune with LP members, and you don't hear much of the "Oh Jeremy" childishness anymore. The Tory leaders cannot work out whether to prioritize feathering their own nests, or holding the party together (A joke now of course). Rightly or wrongly neither of them are perceived by the ordinary voters as being on their side.

The above figures should not be cause for thinking the UKIP are heading for a breakthrough, they did much better in 2015.

I suspect that whether it is a GE or EU elections, people would be unwise to imagine that it's a single issue matter for the voters, however much it is to them.

Yes - there are clear signs that both of the larger parties are seriously pi#sing voters off at the moment. The Labour politburo with Eurosceptic toffs Murray and Milne holding Corbyn's puppet strings, are well out of tune with LP members, and you don't hear much of the "Oh Jeremy" childishness anymore. The Tory leaders cannot work out whether to prioritize feathering their own nests, or holding the party together (A joke now of course). Rightly or wrongly neither of them are perceived by the ordinary voters as being on their side.
The above figures should not be cause for thinking the UKIP are heading for a breakthrough, they did much better in 2015.
I suspect that whether it is a GE or EU elections, people would be unwise to imagine that it's a single issue matter for the voters, however much it is to them.

Most of the house of common scum and the nearby senility complex aka house of lordy turds will be soon going the way of the photo..I HOPE

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21 hours ago, puipuitom said:

yes, the absolute, dream high, landsliding, overwhelming 51,88 % for leave , with just a mare 48,11 %, remain. This is British democracy: the mayority gets all. See the Newport West bye-election:  39,5% of the electorate = seat, with ZERO for the 60,5% of the ellectorate. With this, 50+1 of the constituencies.. = 20% of the voters, you have a British majority government.

 

 

You mention the Newposrt west by- Election. When the two major parties lost most of their votes,while the enti-E.u party nearly doubled its vote.

Is this not very telling?

 

 

Newport West by-election	2019
	Votes 2019	Votes 2017		Change%
Labour	9308	22723	-13415	-12.7
Conservative	7357	17065	-9708	-8
UKIP	2023	1100	923	6.1
Plaid Cymru	1185	1077	108	2.5
Liberal Democrat	1088	976	112	2.4
Greens	928	497	431	2.8
Others	1630	0	1630
Majority	1951	5658	-3707	-4.7
Turnout	23515	43438	-19923	-30.5
Registered electors	63623	64399	-776	1.2