UK Conservatives resume Brexit talks with Labour amid low expectations

[webfact]

UK Conservatives resume Brexit talks with Labour amid low expectations

By Elizabeth Piper and Kylie MacLellan

 

Anti-Brexit protesters hold EU flags as they demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament, as uncertainty over Brexit continues, in London, Britain, April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/Files

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Conservative government held what it called "constructive and detailed" talks with the opposition Labour Party on Tuesday as the two sides struggle to break a parliamentary deadlock over the country's exit from the European Union.

 

After Prime Minister Theresa May's deal was rejected three times in parliament and she was forced to delay Brexit, the government has spent more than four weeks in talks with Labour - negotiations that have done little to soften positions in either party.

 

So far, there has been no agreement.

 

“Today’s meeting was constructive and detailed. The teams have agreed to meet again for follow-up talks tomorrow afternoon, recognising the need to resolve the current Brexit deadlock in Parliament," said a Downing Street spokesman.

 

The government also conceded on Tuesday that Britain would take part in European Parliamentelections this month, a poll that could deliver more bruising results to both major parties.

 

Almost three years after Britain voted to leave the EU, there is little clarity about how, when or even if Brexit will happen.

 

David Lidington, May's de facto deputy, said that despite the country taking part in the Europeanelections on May 23, there was still time to avoid those elected taking their seats.

 

"Ideally we would like to be in a situation where those MEPs from the UK never actually take their seats in the European Parliament, certainly to get this done and dusted by the summer recess," he said, referring to parliament's summer break that usually begins in the second half of July.

 

May deeply regretted the UK having to take part in the elections, her spokesman said, describing the prime minister as determined to find a way to get a deal to leave the EU over the line. The Labour talks are an attempt by May to find a new path to what she calls "a stable majority" for a deal.

 

'GET ON' WITH BREXIT

Earlier, May told her cabinet that last week's local elections, when the Conservatives lost hundreds of council seats, underlined the need to get on with Brexit.

 

"The prime minister said that while an agreement with the opposition had not been reached, the public had sent a clear message in the local elections that they want both of the main parties to get on with delivering Brexit," her spokesman said she told ministers.

 

However, many pro-EU lawmakers used the election results to argue the tide is turning against Brexit after the Liberal Democrats, who oppose Brexit and want a second referendum, gained many council seats.

 

Taking part in the European elections is a further blow to May, who secured a divorce deal with the EU in November but has been unable to implement the agreement and faces growing calls to bring forward her decision to stand down as prime minister.

 

She was to meet the chairman of the Conservative 1922 Committee, an influential party group that can make or break Conservative Party leaders, on Tuesday.

 

A spokesman described it as a regular meeting, though some newspapers reported that its chairman, Graham Brady, would demand a firm timetable for her departure.

 

May was not alone in wanting to avoid European elections.

 

Like the Conservatives, the Labour Party fears voters will again punish them, and vote for alternative parties that have a clearer stance on Brexit.

 

Conservative Brexit supporters might flock to the newly launched Brexit Party of former UKIP leader Nigel Farage.

 

Pro-EU Labour voters could turn to Change UK, another new party, or support the Liberal Democrats.

 

But with both major parties, like much of the country, deeply divided over Brexit, any breakthrough from the current round of talks might be hard to come by.

 

Labour sources were dismissive of weekend reports the government would offer new concessions, including a temporary customs union with the EU until a national election due in June 2022, saying such a proposal would not go far enough.

 

That offer was quickly played down by Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who said he did not believe a post-Brexit customs union would offer a sustainable long-term solution.

 

"I want to look at whatever deal is come to between the parties and I know this is a crucial week," he told BBC radio.

 

(Additional reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Writing by Elizabeth Piper; Editing by Janet Lawrence, Jon Boyle and Frances Kerry)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-05-08

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

[tebee]

I for one, can't see what either side is going to get out coming to an agreement in these talks.

 

Yes, you get a brexit, but it's a brexit nobody wants, a brexit hated by leavers and remainers alike. If they do agree it probably still won't get through parliament and it has the potential to split both parties, Labour in particular.

 

It's just another way to waste some time between now and October

 

May is out of ideas. 

 

But no one else seems to have any either. 

[soalbundy]

perhaps they should all stop digging that hole and just fill it up again.

[malagateddy]

Another cosy bonding session of sociopaths

Sent from my SM-G7102 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[nauseus]

Low expectations from low people.

[Loiner]

Whoever thought anything productive would come of talks with Labour at this stage? Possibly three years ago, but not as another of May’s desperate measures.
We would do better if she was made to talk with Farage rather than the old goat Corbyn.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[welovesundaysatspace]

Do Brexiteers still think they “won”?

[malagateddy]

Do Brexiteers still think they “won”?

He who laughs last..laughs BEST
The fat lady has not even rehearsed her song..never mind singing it.

Sent from my SM-G7102 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[evadgib]

1 hour ago, Loiner said:

Whoever thought anything productive would come of talks with Labour at this stage? Possibly three years ago, but not as another of May’s desperate measures.
We would do better if she was made to talk with Farage rather than the old goat Corbyn.

Whoever succeeds her will have to! ????

[Baerboxer]

2 hours ago, welovesundaysatspace said:

Do Brexiteers still think they “won”?

 

Oh yeah, a lot still do. And repeat the 'we won" mantra often.

 

Usually they're the ones who have no clue about the EU, it's structures, how it's run, etc. but still believe all the nonsense and lies Boris, Mogg and Farage churn out.

 

I saw Farage recently challenged on his lack of knowledge of EU law regarding working and living in another EU country for EU citizens. Must have a job to go to, money for living expenses, health etc. Not the picture he painted and in fact very opposite. He simply blustered a waffled reply that 'er well, if that's the law it's not enforced" - pretending some imaginary force should be enforce it rather than admitting it's the fault of successive dumb UK governments. But many still believe the simple twaddle he spills out.

[nauseus]

10 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Oh yeah, a lot still do. And repeat the 'we won" mantra often.

 

Usually they're the ones who have no clue about the EU, it's structures, how it's run, etc. but still believe all the nonsense and lies Boris, Mogg and Farage churn out.

 

I saw Farage recently challenged on his lack of knowledge of EU law regarding working and living in another EU country for EU citizens. Must have a job to go to, money for living expenses, health etc. Not the picture he painted and in fact very opposite. He simply blustered a waffled reply that 'er well, if that's the law it's not enforced" - pretending some imaginary force should be enforce it rather than admitting it's the fault of successive dumb UK governments. But many still believe the simple twaddle he spills out.

After reading thousands of these Brexit posts over 3 years, I would disagree and say that leavers have a far better knowledge of the EU than remainers.  

[geoffbezoz]

4 minutes ago, nauseus said:

After reading thousands of these Brexit posts over 3 years, I would disagree and say that leavers have a far better knowledge of the EU than remainers.  

Only because you Brexiteers keep reading the same post over and over again in an attempt to convince yourselves you are right, rather then reading up on the realities of economics.  For "head in the sand syndrome" just replace with "head in pro-Brexit posts and rants".  Same same  ????

[nauseus]

Just now, geoffbezoz said:

Only because you Brexiteers keep reading the same post over and over again in an attempt to convince yourselves you are right, rather then reading up on the realities of economics.  For "head in the sand syndrome" just replace with "head in pro-Brexit posts and rants".  Same same  ????

Economics is not the subject here but please show this "most viewed" post!   

[tebee]

39 minutes ago, nauseus said:

After reading thousands of these Brexit posts over 3 years, I would disagree and say that leavers have a far better knowledge of the EU than remainers.  

Anyone that advocates no deal as a solution instantly shows that they don't understand economics  or how he EU works.

 

....and anyone that insists that the referendum was a mandate for no deal instantly shows they don't understand how politics or democracy works. 

[Loiner]

Anyone that advocates no deal as a solution instantly shows that they don't understand economics  or how he EU works.
 
....and anyone that insists that the referendum was a mandate for no deal instantly shows they don't understand how politics or democracy works. 

Anyone who doesn’t advocate no deal doesn’t understand the UK.
Anyone who insists that the referendum didn’t call for a deal, shows they don’t understand the referendum options, or how the Political elites or parliament are subverting democracy.

[welovesundaysatspace]

15 minutes ago, Loiner said:

Anyone who doesn’t advocate no deal doesn’t understand the UK.
Anyone who insists that the referendum didn’t call for a deal, shows they don’t understand the referendum options, or how the Political elites or parliament are subverting democracy.

I’m afraid you have to choose what is decisive. If it’s “the referendum options” there was no no-deal as a referendum option. If it’s to “understand the UK” everyone could claim his understanding is the right one. 

 

Or you just accept that it’s over and you move on. Brexit ain’t gonna happen. 

[Basil B]

7 hours ago, malagateddy said:

 

Totally ignored the opinion polls over the last two and half years...

[billd766]

3 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Oh yeah, a lot still do. And repeat the 'we won" mantra often.

 

Usually they're the ones who have no clue about the EU, it's structures, how it's run, etc. but still believe all the nonsense and lies Boris, Mogg and Farage churn out.

 

I saw Farage recently challenged on his lack of knowledge of EU law regarding working and living in another EU country for EU citizens. Must have a job to go to, money for living expenses, health etc. Not the picture he painted and in fact very opposite. He simply blustered a waffled reply that 'er well, if that's the law it's not enforced" - pretending some imaginary force should be enforce it rather than admitting it's the fault of successive dumb UK governments. But many still believe the simple twaddle he spills out.

Do you believe all the twaddle that TM, her government spews out, along with JC and the Labour party and all their twaddle.

 

The Tory party has had 3 years to get to Brexit and have managed to screw up most of the steps along the way.

 

I would rather believe Nigel Farage even though he is not in any position to carry out his promises rather than the elected government who HAVE had the power and led us to the mess that the UK is in now.

[tebee]

1 hour ago, Loiner said:

Anyone who doesn’t advocate no deal doesn’t understand the UK.
Anyone who insists that the referendum didn’t call for a deal, shows they don’t understand the referendum options, or how the Political elites or parliament are subverting democracy.

I wish leavers would understand - advocating no deal as the only true brexit, besides being manifestly dishonest, also dramatically reduces the chance of any brexit ever happening.

 

On second thoughts, maybe I should be happy with them not understanding......

[malagateddy]

Totally ignored the opinion polls over the last two and half years...

Opinion polls..ha ha ha
Lifted a nice bit if pay when indy1 bit the dust..and again re eu referendum at lovely odds at 7/2...thanks willie hill..both bets had indy1 ..scotland will win yes vote..eu ref..remain would romp it[emoji2][emoji2][emoji2][emoji2][emoji2][emoji2]
Opinion polls ha ha ha
Have a lovely evening old boy[emoji6]

Sent from my SM-G7102 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[elliss]

1 hour ago, billd766 said:

 

 

I would rather believe Nigel Farage even though he is not in any position to carry out his promises rather than the elected government who HAVE had the power and led us to the mess that the UK is in now.

 

    UK, electorate are now programmed to accept low expectations .

      What a price to pay , thx brexiteers.

         

 

[tebee]

1 hour ago, billd766 said:

Do you believe all the twaddle that TM, her government spews out, along with JC and the Labour party and all their twaddle.

 

The Tory party has had 3 years to get to Brexit and have managed to screw up most of the steps along the way.

 

I would rather believe Nigel Farage even though he is not in any position to carry out his promises rather than the elected government who HAVE had the power and led us to the mess that the UK is in now.

 

Nigel Farage- 

 

 

[Loiner]

I’m afraid you have to choose what is decisive. If it’s “the referendum options” there was no no-deal as a referendum option. If it’s to “understand the UK” everyone could claim his understanding is the right one. 
 
Or you just accept that it’s over and you move on. Brexit ain’t gonna happen. 

No I don’t have to choose anything more. We in the UK chose to Leave, no question of making any deals. That’s what you from the EU don’t understand about the UK.
We already don’t accept that ‘Brexit ain’t going to happen’. That’s why we are in this mess, because maybe unlike your own little corner of the EU superstate, even our own parliament cannot easily run roughshod over the UK people.

[billd766]

2 hours ago, elliss said:

 

    UK, electorate are now programmed to accept low expectations .

      What a price to pay , thx brexiteers.

         

 

Please don't thank the Brexiteers, but thank the 650 members of parliament, mostly the Tories who managed in less than 3 years to alienate most of the voters in the UK.

 

Try thanking the Remainers in parliament who consistently managed over 3 years the task that THEY took on which was to keep us in the EU while trying to convince the population that we were leaving.

 

The price that the UK will pay can be laid directly at Teresa May's front door.

 

If she quit tomorrow it would be months too late.

Edited May 8, 2019 by billd766
Added extra text

[nontabury]

11 hours ago, oilinki said:

Labour would do so much better in the future if only they dump Corby and get by a clear message of staying within the EU. People who vote for Labour mostly support staying within the EU. Now those voters are moving towards LibDems and Change UK. 

 

 

 

That may be your reading of the situation in Finland or Brussels, wherever you are now, but in the north of England, the heart of Labour country, you could’t be more wrong.

[nontabury]

8 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Oh yeah, a lot still do. And repeat the 'we won" mantra often.

 

Usually they're the ones who have no clue about the EU, it's structures, how it's run, etc. but still believe all the nonsense and lies Boris, Mogg and Farage churn out.

 

I saw Farage recently challenged on his lack of knowledge of EU law regarding working and living in another EU country for EU citizens. Must have a job to go to, money for living expenses, health etc. Not the picture he painted and in fact very opposite. He simply blustered a waffled reply that 'er well, if that's the law it's not enforced" - pretending some imaginary force should be enforce it rather than admitting it's the fault of successive dumb UK governments. But many still believe the simple twaddle he spills out.

 

 

Seeing that you like to keep referring to Nigel Farage, the only main British politician with any principals. Who has continuously expressed his views on the E.u. with  over 25yrs experience  of how the E.u operates. Maybe this heated interview with Suzanna Reid will help you.

 

 

[7by7]

2 hours ago, billd766 said:

Try thanking the Remainers in parliament who consistently managed over 3 years the task that THEY took on which was to keep us in the EU while trying to convince the population that we were leaving.

The task May and those others whom you blame took on was negotiating Brexit. They took that task on because no one else, especially those who advocated so vehemently for Brexit prior to the referendum, had the balls to do so.

 

Instead they stood back and sabotaged May at every opportunity. Doubtless in the belief we would end up in the mess we are now in thus allowing them to take over to 'rescue' a grateful nation.

 

If Rees-Mogg with his ERG, Boris and Gove etc. had put the country ahead of their own ambitions we would have left on schedule on the 29th March.

Edited May 8, 2019 by 7by7
Correct typos

[7by7]

3 minutes ago, nontabury said:

Seeing that you like to keep referring to Nigel Farage, the only main British politician with any principals. Who has continuously expressed his views on the E.u. with  over 25yrs experience  of how the E.u operates. Maybe this heated interview with Suzanna Reid will help you.

He has a point about the new UKIP; but he is also very keen to get his snout back into the MEP trough. A trough he has been gorging himself on for doing very little work for many a year.

 

He has one of, if not the, worst attendance records of any MEP.

[nontabury]

Just now, 7by7 said:

May and those others whom you blame only took the task on because no one else, especially those who advocated so vehemently for Brexit, had the balls to do so.

 

Instead the stood back and sabotaged May at every opportunity. Doubtless in the belief we would end up in the mess we are now in and they could take over to 'rescue' us.

 

If Rees-Mogg with his ERG, Boris and Gove etc. had put the country ahead of their own ambitions we would have left on schedule on the 29th March.

 Andrea Leadsom a stunch Brexiteer was very willing to become the P.M. after Cameron resigned. Unfortunately, for the country, the decision was decided by the Conservative members of Parliament. And as we all now know, the majority of those, are supporters of Remain, and there fore they elected a remainer in the form of T.May. 

 How things would have panned out if she had been elected we will never know, allthough it’s fair to say, she couldn’t have made a bigger mess of our so called negotiations, than the lying T. May. In fact she might have put the most experienced, with regards to the E.u.  British politician in charge of our negotiations.

 

 

 

 

[welovesundaysatspace]

4 hours ago, Loiner said:

No I don’t have to choose anything more.

Both at the same time doesn’t work, but maybe logic is not the strength of a Brexiteer. 

 

4 hours ago, Loiner said:

We in the UK chose to Leave, no question of making any deals.

Yet still your Brexiteer friends keep blocking to leave because of a deal that they were never supposed to have a say in. 

 

4 hours ago, Loiner said:

even our own parliament cannot easily run roughshod over the UK people.

...and I appreciate that they keep blocking a no-deal Brexit (and effectively Brexit altogether). ????