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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/nov/28/uk-unlikely-to-stay-in-single-market-tory-document-suggests
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| UK unlikely to stay in single market, Tory document suggests | UK unlikely to stay in single market, Tory document suggests |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Britain is unlikely to be able to remain a member of the single market, according to a document photographed in the hands of a senior Conservative official on Downing street. | Britain is unlikely to be able to remain a member of the single market, according to a document photographed in the hands of a senior Conservative official on Downing street. |
| A handwritten note, carried by an aide to the Tory vice-chair Mark Field after a meeting at the Department for Exiting the European Union, could be seen to say: “What’s the model? Have your cake and eat it.” | A handwritten note, carried by an aide to the Tory vice-chair Mark Field after a meeting at the Department for Exiting the European Union, could be seen to say: “What’s the model? Have your cake and eat it.” |
| It also suggests that a deal on manufacturing should be “relatively straightforward” but admits that services are harder. | It also suggests that a deal on manufacturing should be “relatively straightforward” but admits that services are harder. |
| One idea cited is a “Canada-plus” option, suggesting Britain could look to replicate the free trade deal hammered out by the EU over seven years with the north American country. | One idea cited is a “Canada-plus” option, suggesting Britain could look to replicate the free trade deal hammered out by the EU over seven years with the north American country. |
| However, it suggests that the UK would be seeking “more on services” – as that is not part of the comprehensive economic and trade agreement (Ceta). | However, it suggests that the UK would be seeking “more on services” – as that is not part of the comprehensive economic and trade agreement (Ceta). |
| The notes are not easy to interpret but are likely to be pored over given the government’s silence over any details of its negotiating strategy. | The notes are not easy to interpret but are likely to be pored over given the government’s silence over any details of its negotiating strategy. |
| The woman carrying the document appears to be Julia Dockerill, Fields’ chief of staff, and it is not clear whether the words have any official standing. Field is vice-chair of the Conservative party, working on international issues, but is also the MP for Cities of London and Westminster. | The woman carrying the document appears to be Julia Dockerill, Fields’ chief of staff, and it is not clear whether the words have any official standing. Field is vice-chair of the Conservative party, working on international issues, but is also the MP for Cities of London and Westminster. |
| He does not have a formal Brexit role but does take a keen interest on the impact that leaving the EU could have on the country’s financial services, many of which are based in his constituency, and may have been asking ministers about that issue. | He does not have a formal Brexit role but does take a keen interest on the impact that leaving the EU could have on the country’s financial services, many of which are based in his constituency, and may have been asking ministers about that issue. |
| The notes also said: “Transitional – loath to do it. Whitehall will hold onto it. We need to bring an end to negotiations.” | |
| That could suggest that ministers are not keen to enter a transitional deal after the end of the article 50 period, despite May hinting last week that this would be possible. | That could suggest that ministers are not keen to enter a transitional deal after the end of the article 50 period, despite May hinting last week that this would be possible. |
| Other comments include: “Difficult on article 50 implementation - Barnier wants to see what deal looks like first,” in reference to lead negotiator Michel Barnier. | Other comments include: “Difficult on article 50 implementation - Barnier wants to see what deal looks like first,” in reference to lead negotiator Michel Barnier. |
| “Got to be done in parallel – 20 odd negotiations. Keep the two years. Won’t provide more detail,” it adds. “We think it’s unlikely we’ll be offered Single Market.” | “Got to be done in parallel – 20 odd negotiations. Keep the two years. Won’t provide more detail,” it adds. “We think it’s unlikely we’ll be offered Single Market.” |
| The document appears to reflect a discussion about the prospect of a Norway trade deal, which is a member of the European Economic Area. | The document appears to reflect a discussion about the prospect of a Norway trade deal, which is a member of the European Economic Area. |
| “Why no Norway – two elements – no ECJ intervention. Unlikely to do internal market,” referring to the Norwegian model requiring the country to be in the jurisdiction of the European court and acknowledging the difficulty of securing single market access alongside migration controls. | “Why no Norway – two elements – no ECJ intervention. Unlikely to do internal market,” referring to the Norwegian model requiring the country to be in the jurisdiction of the European court and acknowledging the difficulty of securing single market access alongside migration controls. |
| The document was being carried out of 9 Downing street, the Brexit department, and into No 10 Downing street when it was photographed. It comes after reports that there is a sign on the DExEU exit doors reading: “Stop! Are your documents on show?”. | The document was being carried out of 9 Downing street, the Brexit department, and into No 10 Downing street when it was photographed. It comes after reports that there is a sign on the DExEU exit doors reading: “Stop! Are your documents on show?”. |
| A government spokesperson later dismissed the document. “These individual notes do not belong to a government official or a special adviser. They do not reflect the government’s position in relation to Brexit negotiations.” | A government spokesperson later dismissed the document. “These individual notes do not belong to a government official or a special adviser. They do not reflect the government’s position in relation to Brexit negotiations.” |