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Juncker 'confident' of EU summit deal with the UK– live updates Cameron 'won't take an EU deal that does not meet British needs' – live updates
(35 minutes later)
1.31pm GMT
13:31
Cameron’s Twitter feed echoed his remarks.
I'm in Brussels where I'm negotiating hard for Britain. I'm clear, I'm not prepared to take a deal that does not meet what Britain needs.
1.30pm GMT
13:30
Cameron: 'battling for Britain'
Cameron has arrived at the talks insisting he won’t take agree a deal that “does not meet what we need.”
Speaking to reporters in Brussels he said he would be “battling for Britain”. He added: “ I will not take a deal that does not meet what we need. With good will and hard work, we can get a good deal for Britain.”
#brexit cameron arrives with a mouthful of martial metaphors. battling for britain. fighting. it will be hard
1.21pm GMT
13:21
Kevin Rawlinson
BBC journalists have been given guidelines to govern their coverage of the EU referendum in a bid to ensure impartiality, writes Kevin Rawlinson.
They have been told they will be expected to ensure “broad balance” between the two sides of the debate, while also taking into account differing agendas within the same campaign.
They will not be obliged to make sure that the views of the two official campaign groups are given equal exposure at all times, but will be required to focus on “finding ‘broad balance’ between the arguments”.
The guidelines read: “There may be circumstances in which other voices, beyond the formal representatives, are relevant to the arguments: these too should be weighed in terms of the broad balance.”
Related: BBC journalists given EU referendum rules to ensure impartiality
1.13pm GMT
13:13
Jeremy Corbyn has held talks with Labour MEP who he said “want Britain to stay in the EU for jobs and workers rights”.
In Brussels and have met with @UKLabour MEPs who want Britain to stay in the EU for jobs and workers' rights pic.twitter.com/4j3Bu0Ph5o
Note that Corbyn couldn’t bring himself to say that he thinks that too.
He left that to Labour MEP Richard Corbett.
Met @jeremycorbyn today who confirmed @UKLabour’s unequivocal position to stay in EU irrespective of Cameron reforms pic.twitter.com/7BLRBm05eA
Updated
at 1.15pm GMT
1.10pm GMT
13:10
Tusk: 'make-or-break summit'
European Council president Donald Tusk outlined the seriousness of the talks.
“This is a make-or-break summit, I have no doubt,” he told reporters in Brussels.
1.02pm GMT
13:02
Philip Oltermann
If David Cameron does walk away from Brussels with the deal he wanted, it may be largely due to one of the eurocrats the British press takes such joy in rubbishing, writes Philip Olterman in Berlin.
According to Süddeutsche Zeitung, the “man most likely to save Cameron’s skin” is one Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen. During the most heated phase of the negotiations, the general secretary at the European Council, a former Danish ambassador in Beijing, emerged as one bureaucrat who could translate Britain’s blustering demands into the appropriate legalese, finding loopholes where others thought they didn’t exist.
When Cameron curtly said there would be no more free benefits, it was Tranholm-Mikkelsen who dived deep into the EU treaties to pull section D2(b) with reference to guideline 492/2011 like a rabbit out of a hat, enabling Britain to curtail benefits for newly arrived EU migrants. “Only a few months ago everyone thought that wouldn’t be possible”, writes Süddeutsche’s EU correspondent Daniel Brössler.
12.35pm GMT12.35pm GMT
12:3512:35
Jennifer RankinJennifer Rankin
Jennifer Rankin has helpful jargon buster on the proposed deal.Jennifer Rankin has helpful jargon buster on the proposed deal.
The emergency brakeThe emergency brake
What does it mean? The UK could suspend in-work benefits for EU migrants if exceptional numbers put strain on social services.What does it mean? The UK could suspend in-work benefits for EU migrants if exceptional numbers put strain on social services.
What does it really mean? The European commission, rather than the British government, would control the brake and it couldn’t be used until EU legislation was amended, which could could take anywhere between 3-12 months - not exactly an emergency.What does it really mean? The European commission, rather than the British government, would control the brake and it couldn’t be used until EU legislation was amended, which could could take anywhere between 3-12 months - not exactly an emergency.
The euro emergency brakeThe euro emergency brake
What does it mean? The UK (or another non eurozone member state) can stop new economic regulations affecting the single currency and force further discussions among EU leaders.What does it mean? The UK (or another non eurozone member state) can stop new economic regulations affecting the single currency and force further discussions among EU leaders.
What does it really mean? The eurozone, which 19 countries of the EU 28 have joined, will still be able to outvote non eurozone countries. The eurozone will not give the UK a permanent veto, so this emergency brake does not live up to the name.What does it really mean? The eurozone, which 19 countries of the EU 28 have joined, will still be able to outvote non eurozone countries. The eurozone will not give the UK a permanent veto, so this emergency brake does not live up to the name.
The red cardThe red card
What does it mean? If 55% of national parliaments dislike a new EU law they can show it the red card, banishing the proposal.What does it mean? If 55% of national parliaments dislike a new EU law they can show it the red card, banishing the proposal.
What does it really mean? Anyone expecting EU lawmaking to become more like a Chelsea away game should prepare to be disappointed. Governments acting together already have the power to block EU legislation. Legislatures show little interest in using orange and red cards that give them similar powers to force a rethink of EU laws.What does it really mean? Anyone expecting EU lawmaking to become more like a Chelsea away game should prepare to be disappointed. Governments acting together already have the power to block EU legislation. Legislatures show little interest in using orange and red cards that give them similar powers to force a rethink of EU laws.
Ever-closer unionEver-closer union
What does it mean? The EU treaty speaks of an “ever-closer union among the peoples of Europe”.What does it mean? The EU treaty speaks of an “ever-closer union among the peoples of Europe”.
What does it really mean? The treaty motto is the bane of Eurosceptics, who see a plot to draw the UK into a federal superstate. In fact, ever-closer union already comes with an important caveat agreed by EU leaders in 2014. “The concept of ever closer union allows for different paths of integration for different countries, allowing those that want to deepen integration to move ahead, while respecting the wish of those who do not want to deepen any further.”What does it really mean? The treaty motto is the bane of Eurosceptics, who see a plot to draw the UK into a federal superstate. In fact, ever-closer union already comes with an important caveat agreed by EU leaders in 2014. “The concept of ever closer union allows for different paths of integration for different countries, allowing those that want to deepen integration to move ahead, while respecting the wish of those who do not want to deepen any further.”
CompetitivenessCompetitiveness
What does it really mean? Boosting competitiveness is the Brussels equivalent of getting behind hardworking families: nobody can be against it.What does it really mean? Boosting competitiveness is the Brussels equivalent of getting behind hardworking families: nobody can be against it.
What does it really mean? The text of the UK deal is vague enough for all EU member states to sign up to - the draft refers to “repealing unnecessary regulation”, (rather than repealing necessary regulation?) and “an ambitious trade policy” (instead of an unambitious one?). Member states will fall out over what competitiveness means in practice, but that is a debate for another day.What does it really mean? The text of the UK deal is vague enough for all EU member states to sign up to - the draft refers to “repealing unnecessary regulation”, (rather than repealing necessary regulation?) and “an ambitious trade policy” (instead of an unambitious one?). Member states will fall out over what competitiveness means in practice, but that is a debate for another day.
12.27pm GMT12.27pm GMT
12:2712:27
Spanish MEP Enrique Calvet Chambon urges European citizens to resist the “blackmail of the United Kingdom” by considering the historic purpose of the European project.Spanish MEP Enrique Calvet Chambon urges European citizens to resist the “blackmail of the United Kingdom” by considering the historic purpose of the European project.
“A more integrated Europe is absolutely indispensable,” he says in a YouTube message.“A more integrated Europe is absolutely indispensable,” he says in a YouTube message.
He also urged Europe not to return to the nationalism of the last century. “You have to get a historical point of view for our future, and not to get small negotiations for political interests in the short term,” Calvet Chambon said.He also urged Europe not to return to the nationalism of the last century. “You have to get a historical point of view for our future, and not to get small negotiations for political interests in the short term,” Calvet Chambon said.
In an earlier video he said Europe was facing an “emergency moment” in the face of the UK’s “intolerable blackmail”.In an earlier video he said Europe was facing an “emergency moment” in the face of the UK’s “intolerable blackmail”.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.28pm GMTat 12.28pm GMT
12.08pm GMT12.08pm GMT
12:0812:08
A tale of two cities ... Contrasting BBC voxpops in London and Brussels reveal a stark difference in the level of awareness about Britain’s relationship with Europe.A tale of two cities ... Contrasting BBC voxpops in London and Brussels reveal a stark difference in the level of awareness about Britain’s relationship with Europe.
In one of the cities there was a staggering level of public ignorance. In the another people were willing to talk about the merits of Cameron’s plans to restrict in-work benefits to EU migrants through an emergency brake.In one of the cities there was a staggering level of public ignorance. In the another people were willing to talk about the merits of Cameron’s plans to restrict in-work benefits to EU migrants through an emergency brake.
No prizes for guessing which is which.No prizes for guessing which is which.
Brussels ...Brussels ...
London ...London ...
11.45am GMT11.45am GMT
11:4511:45
Brussels insiders have not been impressed by Cameron’s attempts at deal making, according to a poll by Politico. The survey of 77 of European and US policymakers, found that 62% rated Cameron’s performance either poor or average.Brussels insiders have not been impressed by Cameron’s attempts at deal making, according to a poll by Politico. The survey of 77 of European and US policymakers, found that 62% rated Cameron’s performance either poor or average.
Only 16% rated Cameron’s deal making good or excellent.Only 16% rated Cameron’s deal making good or excellent.
One said: “He seems to think that when he’s at home, no one in Europe hears what he says!”One said: “He seems to think that when he’s at home, no one in Europe hears what he says!”
11.29am GMT11.29am GMT
11:2911:29
Rowena MasonRowena Mason
Rowena Mason has more on Lord Kinnock’s comments.Rowena Mason has more on Lord Kinnock’s comments.
David Cameron’s renegotiation is of seismic importance for the future of the EU as other countries are facing the risk of eurosceptic “contagion” if Britain leaves, Lord Kinnock, the former Labour leader and EU commissioner, has claimed.David Cameron’s renegotiation is of seismic importance for the future of the EU as other countries are facing the risk of eurosceptic “contagion” if Britain leaves, Lord Kinnock, the former Labour leader and EU commissioner, has claimed.
The senior Labour figure, who is a prominent campaigner for the UK to remain in the EU, said the summit starting in Brussels on Thursday is a pivotal moment for Britain and the rest of Europe, which needs to contain growing anti-EU feeling in nationalist parties across the continent.The senior Labour figure, who is a prominent campaigner for the UK to remain in the EU, said the summit starting in Brussels on Thursday is a pivotal moment for Britain and the rest of Europe, which needs to contain growing anti-EU feeling in nationalist parties across the continent.
“The effects are seismic,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. While the question of Brexit matters primarily for Britain, the deal is also the focus of 27 other democracies for the next two days, he said. “It has also got significance for the rest of the EU and that is the possibility of contagion,” Kinnock added.“The effects are seismic,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. While the question of Brexit matters primarily for Britain, the deal is also the focus of 27 other democracies for the next two days, he said. “It has also got significance for the rest of the EU and that is the possibility of contagion,” Kinnock added.
“I think particularly the Front National in France and the AfD in Germany and the Polish and Hungarian elements that would like to draw up their own agenda and either partially or wholly withdraw. That is concentrating minds and making people realise the massive implications of completing a deal.”“I think particularly the Front National in France and the AfD in Germany and the Polish and Hungarian elements that would like to draw up their own agenda and either partially or wholly withdraw. That is concentrating minds and making people realise the massive implications of completing a deal.”
Related: UK renegotiations have 'seismic' significance for EU, says Lord KinnockRelated: UK renegotiations have 'seismic' significance for EU, says Lord Kinnock
11.18am GMT11.18am GMT
11:1811:18
A French senator has urged Europe not to give into British “blackmail”. Claude Kern, a member of the centre right Union of Democrats and Independents, warned that the European Council was once again being sucked into Brexit.A French senator has urged Europe not to give into British “blackmail”. Claude Kern, a member of the centre right Union of Democrats and Independents, warned that the European Council was once again being sucked into Brexit.
He said the UK’s “Brexit blackmail” is “unacceptable and reveals the ingratitude of the British.”He said the UK’s “Brexit blackmail” is “unacceptable and reveals the ingratitude of the British.”
In a Facebook posting he asked: “What right does the UK have to tell Europe to give up on our European project?”In a Facebook posting he asked: “What right does the UK have to tell Europe to give up on our European project?”
Kern said that giving into Britain’s demands would result in the dislocation of the EU.Kern said that giving into Britain’s demands would result in the dislocation of the EU.
10.57am GMT10.57am GMT
10:5710:57
Juncker confident of a dealJuncker confident of a deal
Jean-Claude Juncker, European Commission president, said he was confident a deal could be reached but conceded that issues remained to be agreed.Jean-Claude Juncker, European Commission president, said he was confident a deal could be reached but conceded that issues remained to be agreed.
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels he said: “I remain quite confident that we will have a deal during this European Council. We have to sort out a certain number of questions. And I’m convinced that Britain will be a constructive and active member of the European Union.”Speaking at a press conference in Brussels he said: “I remain quite confident that we will have a deal during this European Council. We have to sort out a certain number of questions. And I’m convinced that Britain will be a constructive and active member of the European Union.”
He added: “We don’t know exactly how things are going to play out. That remains to be seen.”He added: “We don’t know exactly how things are going to play out. That remains to be seen.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.00am GMTat 11.00am GMT
10.32am GMT
10:32
Jean-Claude Juncker, European commission president, and Martin Schulz, president of the European parliament are about to give a press conference.
So far Juncker has given nothing away.
On his way to briefing he was asked whether he would take question about what promises to be a tense two or even three-day meeting.
“No, not one,” Juncker said.
You can follow the press conference here.
Follow LIVE joint press conference w/ @JunckerEU ahead of #EUCO summit #UKinEU #migration https://t.co/qlj1vVjq9K pic.twitter.com/kcwNkmRqeL
10.17am GMT
10:17
[Full text]
The Guardian’s Alberto Nardelli is going through the draft of the leaked agreement which includes substantial sections in square brackets showing areas where agreement has still not been reached.
Here’s are some of the key sections in square brackets he has picked out so far:
Proposals on ability of non-Eurozone members to stall financial regulations
[4. The implementation of measures, including the supervision or resolution of financial institutions and markets, and macro-prudential responsibilities, to be taken in view of preserving the financial stability of Member States whose currency is not the euro is, subject to the requirements of group and consolidated supervision and resolution, a matter for their own authorities and own budgetary responsibility, unless such Member States wish to join common mechanisms open to their participation.
This is without prejudice to the development of the single rulebook and to Union mechanisms of macro-prudential oversight for the prevention and mitigation of systemic financial risks in the Union and to the existing powers of the Union institutions and relevant Union bodies to take action that is necessary to respond to threats to financial stability.]
Any mention of revising the Lisbon treaty appears between square brackets
[7. The substance of this Section will be incorporated into the Treaties at the time of their next revision in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaties and the respective constitutional requirements of the Member States.]
9.55am GMT
09:55
Donald Tusk has scheduled what aides are calling an “English breakfast” on Friday in hope of a final compromise.
“The negotiations are very advanced and we must make use of the momentum,” he said in an invitation letter to EU leaders.
“There will not be a better time for a compromise.”
The European Council issued a briefing on the summit which included this about Friday’s breakfast:
On Friday morning the heads of state or government will reconvene in an informal working breakfast setting to continue the discussions on a new settlement for the UK in the EU. The President of the European Parliament will be invited to participate in this session.
9.40am GMT
09:40
Labour’s leader Jeremy Corbyn is also heading to Brussels where he is due to meet members of the Party of European Socialists.
Labour List’s Conor Pope reports speculation that the Corbyn will criticise Cameron’s plans to restrict in-work benefits to EU migrants through an emergency brake.
Corbyn's heading to Brussels to speak to @PES_PSE today - rumours he'll use it to attack the emergency brake on benefits for EU migrants.
Looking forward to helping welcome @jeremycorbyn today as he meets @EuroLabour MEPs then briefs @PES_PSE leaders in advance of #EUCO #UKinEU
9.21am GMT
09:21
David Cameron is due to hold more talks with European Council President Donald Tusk hours before the summit proper gets underway.
The meeting with Tusk is scheduled for 3pm CET.
Following a phone call with Tusk late on Wednesday, Cameron insisted there was a “good basis for agreement”, and UK officials said Britain was “in a good place” going into the summit of 28 national leaders in the European Council.
But Tusk warned there was “no guarantee” a deal would be reached.
In an eve-of-summit letter, Tusk told EU leaders: “The negotiations are very advanced and we must make use of the momentum. There will not be a better time for a compromise.”
Failure to reach a deal at the European Council gathering would be “a defeat both for the UK and the European Union, but a geopolitical victory for those who seek to divide us”, he warned.
Updated
at 9.22am GMT
8.50am GMT
08:50
Former Labour leader and EU commissioner, Neil Kinnock, says David Cameron appears to have secured the best deal possible.
Speaking on the Today programme Kinnock said: “He [Cameron] has secured, by dint of using a great deal of energy, pretty much what was possible to be secured. And the value of it is clarification in very important areas in our relationship with the rest of the EU.”
Kinnock said Cameron should learn from Margaret Thatcher’s approach to Europe by lobbying for reform as an active member of EU.
Referring to his former political adversary Kinnock said:
“Her commitment in the European Union was very firm. The commission that she gave to our civil servants inside what was then the European Community was ‘get the best possible deal’. And of course significant deals and changes were secured by means of negotiation strenuously, firmly, fairly from the inside and getting those deals. If it is reform you are after, you are better doing it as a very very engaged partner rather than a potential divorcee.”
Kinnock said it was in Britain’s interests to remain in the EU. “We need them more than they need us,” he said.
And he warned referendum voters not to be sidetracked by the details of the deal being negotiated in Brussels. “The real question is whether those details are so substantial as to propels towards an absolutely unknown uncertain future,” he said.
8.24am GMT
08:24
Jennifer Rankin
Cameron faces a crucial 24 hours ahead. Jennifer Rankin in Brussels has a rundown of some of the events. Expecting a long night, she warns.
All timings are local time (subtract an hour for GMT).
11.30am: Jean-Claude Juncker, European commission president, and Martin Schulz, president of the European parliament are due to give a press conference.
4.00pm: Leaders arrive at the summit and may give remarks to reporters.
5.00pm: Summit begins
5.45-8pm: Talks on the UK’s relations with the EU take place
8pm: migration debate over dinner
Late: more UK talks expected. Press conferences could follow.
Friday
9.00am: Leaders are scheduled to arrive. Bilaterals and more UK talks are expected, but Syria and Libya on the official agenda.
Updated
at 10.10am GMT
8.11am GMT
08:11
There’s a good chance that the passages marked in square brackets signalling disagreement in the leaked draft text, can been agreed, according Roberto Gualtieri MEP one of the main “sherpas” on the negotiations.
Speaking to the Today programmed he said: “I think there are good chances in general to drop the brackets but of course this is not guaranteed. And that will be a big part of the negotiations.”
He added: “At the highest level there is a awareness that a deal is important.”
7.58am GMT
07:58
Tory MEP Daniel Hannan dismissed the proposed deal and warned that any changes could be unpicked by the European Parliament in future, PA reports.
The Eurosceptic South East England MEP told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme:
“I don’t know of any MEPs or Eurocrats in private who think that this is a fundamental change. All of the sound and fury, all of the negotiations, have come down to amending one directive - which we could have done at any time without needing any renegotiation.
“Privately, the Eurocrats were whooping and high-fiving and turning cartwheels because so little has been asked for.”
An unnamed source told The Times that when MEPs begin looking at the deal it could be like “monkeys with guns”, and Hannan said: “They certainly can be simian, occasionally, in their behaviour.
“I think that they will pass this deal, because they will be told to by their party leaders, but they can then un-pass it the following year because it isn’t a constitutional change, it is just one amendment.”
7.51am GMT
07:51
Welcome to live coverage as David Cameron and a “war room of lawyers” prepare for a crunch summit in Brussels on Britain’s relation with the European Union.
The prime minister insisted there was a “good basis for agreement” but a draft text of the deal leaked to the Guardian reveals he has failed to secure one of his key demands.
European Council president Donald Tusk, who opens the summit at 5.45pm, has also warned there was “no guarantee” a deal would be reached.
Here’s a summary of how things currently stand: