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Johnson: EU deal does not go far enough in curbing migration Johnson: EU deal does not go far enough in curbing migration
(7 months later)
Boris Johnson has questioned key parts of the prime minister’s proposed EU deal, asking why he did not “try harder” to regain control of the UK’s borders.Boris Johnson has questioned key parts of the prime minister’s proposed EU deal, asking why he did not “try harder” to regain control of the UK’s borders.
The London mayor is being courted by campaigners on both sides of the argument ahead of the in/out referendum on EU membership. He insisted he would like to remain in a reformed EU but would “wait until you see the whites of their eyes” before making his decision.The London mayor is being courted by campaigners on both sides of the argument ahead of the in/out referendum on EU membership. He insisted he would like to remain in a reformed EU but would “wait until you see the whites of their eyes” before making his decision.
David Cameron faces days of intense negotiation in the run-up to the Brussels summit on 18-19 February, where he hopes to reach agreement on the deal proposed by Donald Tusk, president of the European council.David Cameron faces days of intense negotiation in the run-up to the Brussels summit on 18-19 February, where he hopes to reach agreement on the deal proposed by Donald Tusk, president of the European council.
Johnson used his Daily Telegraph column to warn that the proposals were not agreed among EU leaders and the European parliament’s president, Martin Schulz, “has already said that he wants to unscramble them”.Johnson used his Daily Telegraph column to warn that the proposals were not agreed among EU leaders and the European parliament’s president, Martin Schulz, “has already said that he wants to unscramble them”.
“This is the moment to stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, squint down the barrel and only when you see the whites of their eyes should you finally let fly and decide whether to stay or leave the EU; because the arguments are as finely balanced as they have ever been,” he said.“This is the moment to stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, squint down the barrel and only when you see the whites of their eyes should you finally let fly and decide whether to stay or leave the EU; because the arguments are as finely balanced as they have ever been,” he said.
Related: EU deal key points: what Cameron wanted and what he got
On the issue of protection for the UK and other countries outside the eurozone, Johnson asked: “Is it a concession by them, or by us? The salient point appears to be that the UK will not be able to block moves to create a fiscal union – a deeply anti-democratic exercise.”On the issue of protection for the UK and other countries outside the eurozone, Johnson asked: “Is it a concession by them, or by us? The salient point appears to be that the UK will not be able to block moves to create a fiscal union – a deeply anti-democratic exercise.”
On the competitiveness agenda “the language is excellent” but “why are we not insisting on a timetable for a real single market in services?” Johnson questioned Cameron last week about measures to protect sovereignty in the Commons, and he wrote that in the proposed deal “it looks as though the prime minister has done better than many expected”.On the competitiveness agenda “the language is excellent” but “why are we not insisting on a timetable for a real single market in services?” Johnson questioned Cameron last week about measures to protect sovereignty in the Commons, and he wrote that in the proposed deal “it looks as though the prime minister has done better than many expected”.
But he questioned how “bankable” the promises were and whether an “intimidating” measure could be constructed to counter European judges and bureaucrats. “Are we talking bazooka or popgun?” He criticised a lack of ambition in measures aimed at curbing migration, where the prime minister has secured the offer of an “emergency brake” to restrict access to in-work benefits for EU migrants.But he questioned how “bankable” the promises were and whether an “intimidating” measure could be constructed to counter European judges and bureaucrats. “Are we talking bazooka or popgun?” He criticised a lack of ambition in measures aimed at curbing migration, where the prime minister has secured the offer of an “emergency brake” to restrict access to in-work benefits for EU migrants.
“Why didn’t we try harder to recapture control of our borders, rather than stick at this minor (if worthwhile) change to the law on benefits?” Johnson said that he would give his views “if and when a deal is done”.“Why didn’t we try harder to recapture control of our borders, rather than stick at this minor (if worthwhile) change to the law on benefits?” Johnson said that he would give his views “if and when a deal is done”.
Among the arguments for remaining in the EU were the value of the single market, and the uncertainty caused by leaving the 28-member bloc.Among the arguments for remaining in the EU were the value of the single market, and the uncertainty caused by leaving the 28-member bloc.
He added that “history shows that they need us” and leaving would send a “very negative signal” for Europe, particularly the east. But against those arguments were the “woeful defects” of the “wasteful, expensive and occasionally corrupt” EU.He added that “history shows that they need us” and leaving would send a “very negative signal” for Europe, particularly the east. But against those arguments were the “woeful defects” of the “wasteful, expensive and occasionally corrupt” EU.
Elsewhere, the Telegraph reported that Cameron will warn after a referendum date is called that voting for Brexit would result in migrant camps such as the “Jungle” in Calais springing up across south-east of England because France would pull out of border arrangements.Elsewhere, the Telegraph reported that Cameron will warn after a referendum date is called that voting for Brexit would result in migrant camps such as the “Jungle” in Calais springing up across south-east of England because France would pull out of border arrangements.
Johnson’s intervention came after Cameron was warned his proposed deal on benefits could lead to a surge in the number of people coming to the UK before the “emergency brake” mechanism is applied.Johnson’s intervention came after Cameron was warned his proposed deal on benefits could lead to a surge in the number of people coming to the UK before the “emergency brake” mechanism is applied.
Former Tory leadership contender David Davis warned that coverage of the proposed curbs on benefits on the continent would act as an incentive to workers to head to the UK over the coming months before a deal can be implemented. Davis said since the proposed deal was set out “eastern European newspapers have carried numerous stories about in-work benefits and the plans to terminate them for the first four years after a migrant’s arrival in the UK” while Brussels has suggested that the scheme could take 12 months to implement.Former Tory leadership contender David Davis warned that coverage of the proposed curbs on benefits on the continent would act as an incentive to workers to head to the UK over the coming months before a deal can be implemented. Davis said since the proposed deal was set out “eastern European newspapers have carried numerous stories about in-work benefits and the plans to terminate them for the first four years after a migrant’s arrival in the UK” while Brussels has suggested that the scheme could take 12 months to implement.
“Under such circumstances the incentive for anybody wishing to come to live in the UK will be to come as quickly as possible to beat the deadline when any such restrictions come into effect,” Davis, a former Europe minister, said. “Accordingly we are likely to see a surge in migrants in the next 12 months.”“Under such circumstances the incentive for anybody wishing to come to live in the UK will be to come as quickly as possible to beat the deadline when any such restrictions come into effect,” Davis, a former Europe minister, said. “Accordingly we are likely to see a surge in migrants in the next 12 months.”