Brexit talks to resume despite UK rejecting EU ultimatum

Talks on the post-Brexit trade deal are set to continue, despite the UK rejecting the EU ultimatum to scrap plans to overturn the withdrawal deal.

The EU has threatened the UK government with legal action if it does not get rid of its controversial Internal Market Act by the end of the month.

Angry Conservative MPs have launched a proposal to amend the new law.

Meanwhile, negotiators of the trade talks on both sides have acknowledged that they are still in conflict over “important” issues.

Boris Johnson’s proposed internal market bill, which will be formally debated by MPs in the House of Commons for the first time on Monday, addresses the Northern Ireland Protocol, an element of the Brexit withdrawal agreement designed to prevent that a hard frontier returns to the island of Ireland.

The new law would give UK ministers powers to modify or “not apply” rules related to the movement of goods that will take effect from 1 January, if the UK and the EU cannot reach an agreement. commercial.

The bill’s publication sparked emergency talks on Thursday, in which the EU said planned changes must be scrapped or it risks jeopardizing trade talks between the UK and the EU.

But the government defied the EU demand, insisting that it would proceed as planned with legislation it says is necessary to protect the integrity of the UK and the peace process in Northern Ireland.

Time and trust are running out

When it comes to Brexit, all the negotiations are interrelated: the trade talks between the EU and the UK, the process to implement their divorce agreement, the negotiations on fishing rights and the Brussels deliberation on the financial service of the UK.

What happens in one area greatly affects progress in others. You cannot separate them completely.

That’s why this week, as the war of words and wills between Brussels and Downing Street was unleashed by the government’s threat to throw a grenade at key parties to the divorce agreement, everyone’s thoughts immediately turned to trade talks between both parts.

Could they survive? In fact, they continue to limp.

Despite the bitter discussions on the legislation and the huge list of pending issues that still need to be resolved in the bilateral trade talks; despite time and trust running out on both sides; neither the EU nor the UK seem to want to be the first out the door.

Read more here.

The latest round of trade talks also took place in London on Thursday, with both sides acknowledging that “significant” differences remain.

In subsequent remarks, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said the EU had “shown flexibility” in an effort to “find solutions”, but that the UK had not “engaged” on some “important issues”.

His British counterpart David Frost said that “challenging areas remain and divergences in some remain significant.”

He said UK negotiators “remain committed” to reaching an agreement and officials “will continue discussions” next week.

Johnson has previously said that he would withdraw from the negotiating table if no agreement is reached with the EU by October 15.

‘No natural rebels’

The intense week of talks has caused some unrest in Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party.

Former Chancellor Lord Lamont said the government was in “a terrible mess” and warned that the Internal Market Act would not pass through the House of Lords in its current form.

And Sir Bernard Jenkin, head of the strongly pro-Brexit European Research Group, said Johnson “should be more aware of the damage to the reputation of playing so hard.”

Meanwhile, conservative supporter Sir Bob Neill, who chairs the Commons Justice Committee, is tableting an amendment to try to force a separate parliamentary vote on the bill’s three contentious clauses.

Sir Bob said there must be a “parliamentary lockdown” on any changes to the withdrawal agreement.

Among her supporters is Theresa May’s former Deputy Prime Minister Damian Green.

“We are not rebellious by nature. We have all served as ministers, we know this is serious work and we do our best to take the job seriously. Therefore we do not do anything like this lightly,” said Sir Bob. Times Radio.

“So I hope it’s at least an indication as a government that really, you should think hard and carefully before going down this road. For God’s sake, try to find another way.”