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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/dec/01/brexit-secretary-suggests-uk-would-consider-paying-for-single-market-access
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| Brexit secretary suggests UK would consider paying for single market access | Brexit secretary suggests UK would consider paying for single market access |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| David Davis has suggested that the government would consider making contributions to the EU budget in exchange for access to the single market, saying his Department for Exiting the EU would consider all options to get the best deal with the bloc. | David Davis has suggested that the government would consider making contributions to the EU budget in exchange for access to the single market, saying his Department for Exiting the EU would consider all options to get the best deal with the bloc. |
| During questions in the House of Commons, the Labour MP Wayne David asked if the Brexit secretary would “consider making any contribution in any shape or form for access to the single market”. | During questions in the House of Commons, the Labour MP Wayne David asked if the Brexit secretary would “consider making any contribution in any shape or form for access to the single market”. |
| Davis said the government would look at the options during the article 50 process over the next two years. “The major criterion here is that we get the best possible access for goods and services to the European market,” he said. “And if that is included in what he is talking about, then of course we would consider it.” | |
| In reply to my Question, David Davies has stated that govt is prepared to consider 'paying' for access to Single Market. Significant #brexit | In reply to my Question, David Davies has stated that govt is prepared to consider 'paying' for access to Single Market. Significant #brexit |
| The prime minister’s spokeswoman said Davis’ view was “consistent with what we have said to date, which is that it will be for the UK government to make the decision about how taxpayers’ money will be spent”. | |
| Downing Street stressed no decision had been made. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, we are at the stage of preparing for negotiations,” the spokeswoman said. “What we have said is that we will look at how we get the best possible deal, people are suggesting we should consider [paying contributions] and that was the response he [Davis] gave.” | |
| The pound surged on news that the government is prepared to consider paying for Britain to access the European single market post-Brexit. Sterling was up 1% against the dollar at 1.26, its highest level in three weeks. Against the euro, the pound surged 0.63% to 1.18 euros, aided by the eurozone currency’s struggles in the face of the Italian referendum on Sunday. | |
| During the debate, the Brexit secretary said he was keen not to rule out any option before the end of March, the government’s self-imposed deadline for triggering article 50. | |
| “There is one chance in this negotiation, it’s unlike almost anything else that comes in front of this house, anything else we can come back and repeal it, change it or amend it,” he said. “This is a single-shot negotiation, we have to do the analysis first.” | “There is one chance in this negotiation, it’s unlike almost anything else that comes in front of this house, anything else we can come back and repeal it, change it or amend it,” he said. “This is a single-shot negotiation, we have to do the analysis first.” |
| The shadow Brexit minister, Matthew Pennycook, also asked Davis if the government was expecting to pay an estimated “divorce bill” of up to €60bn (£50bn) to the EU after the UK leaves to cover unpaid budget commitments, pension liabilities and spending on UK-based projects. | |
| Davis described the figure as “an opening bid, that’s all it is, nothing more, the maximum price on departure”. | Davis described the figure as “an opening bid, that’s all it is, nothing more, the maximum price on departure”. |
| He said: “I’m not going to start chipping away at that bid, we will start from scratch when we go in that door before the end of March when the negotiation starts.” | He said: “I’m not going to start chipping away at that bid, we will start from scratch when we go in that door before the end of March when the negotiation starts.” |
| During the questions, Davis also dismissed reports that his cabinet colleague Boris Johnson privately backs continuing free movement from the EU, after reports that the foreign secretary expressed support for the system during conversations with European ambassadors. | During the questions, Davis also dismissed reports that his cabinet colleague Boris Johnson privately backs continuing free movement from the EU, after reports that the foreign secretary expressed support for the system during conversations with European ambassadors. |
| Four EU ambassadors told Sky News that Johnson had expressed personal support for the principle of free movement and they were “shocked” by the government’s apparently “shambolic” approach. | Four EU ambassadors told Sky News that Johnson had expressed personal support for the principle of free movement and they were “shocked” by the government’s apparently “shambolic” approach. |
| Theresa May has made it clear that secure new immigration controls and ending free movement of EU nationals to the UK will be a priority when the UK’s formal exit negotiations begin next year. | Theresa May has made it clear that secure new immigration controls and ending free movement of EU nationals to the UK will be a priority when the UK’s formal exit negotiations begin next year. |
| Davis said the reported comments by Johnson “strikes me as completely at odds from what I know about what my right honourable friend believes in this matter”. | Davis said the reported comments by Johnson “strikes me as completely at odds from what I know about what my right honourable friend believes in this matter”. |
| He said: “He believes very clearly, and made this clear in the leave campaign, that some immigration is useful, we all agree that. That is not the same thing as thinking that free movement as it stands is a good idea. It’s a problem.” | He said: “He believes very clearly, and made this clear in the leave campaign, that some immigration is useful, we all agree that. That is not the same thing as thinking that free movement as it stands is a good idea. It’s a problem.” |
| Government sources suggested the conversations had taken place at a private breakfast meeting with EU ambassadors in London in October and a civil servant had kept a note of the remarks. | Government sources suggested the conversations had taken place at a private breakfast meeting with EU ambassadors in London in October and a civil servant had kept a note of the remarks. |
| One ambassador who spoke to Sky News said: “He did say he was personally in favour of free movement, as it corresponds to his own beliefs. But he said it wasn’t government policy.” | One ambassador who spoke to Sky News said: “He did say he was personally in favour of free movement, as it corresponds to his own beliefs. But he said it wasn’t government policy.” |
| Another added: “Boris Johnson has been openly telling us that he is personally in favour of free movement.” | Another added: “Boris Johnson has been openly telling us that he is personally in favour of free movement.” |
| During the debate, the shadow Brexit secretary, Keir Starmer, said Davis’s department was refusing to lay out its negotiating position to parliament so the only information being garnered was through leaks of private conversations. | During the debate, the shadow Brexit secretary, Keir Starmer, said Davis’s department was refusing to lay out its negotiating position to parliament so the only information being garnered was through leaks of private conversations. |
| “There is a running commentary, it’s being provided by leaked memos, notes caught on camera and the foreign secretary to any one who will listen to him,” Starmer said. | |
| “This is serious because it is damaging the prospects of negotiations getting off to a good start. The secretary of state must realise this will go on for two years unless he releases the basic plan.” | “This is serious because it is damaging the prospects of negotiations getting off to a good start. The secretary of state must realise this will go on for two years unless he releases the basic plan.” |
| The Liberal Democrat leader, Tim Farron, said: “The government are in an absolute mess. We are seeing chaos over their Brexit plans as they keep sending mixed signals on where they stand on basic, fundamental questions like access to the single market, payments to the EU budget and freedom of movement. | |
| “How can the government claim they have a mandate for their Brexit deal when they don’t even know what it is themselves? The people must be given a vote on the deal they do when it finally emerges, and the government must start setting out clearly what they are trying to achieve.” |