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Merkel hopeful of Brexit deal after May's plea - politics live Merkel hopeful of Brexit deal after May's plea - politics live
(35 minutes later)
10.44am BST
10:44
EU27 to begin internal trade talk deliberations
As mentioned earlier - now confirmed - EU leaders have agreed to start internal discussions on their approach to the “second phase” - talks on trade and the transition to Brexit. This does not mean that such talks between the UK and EU27 are set to start, however.
Brexit conclusions adopted. Leaders green-light internal EU27 preparations for 2nd phase. #EUCO
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10.15am BST
10:15
Theresa May’s press conference, which was due to start about 15 minutes ago, is likely to get going closer to 10.30am, we’re told.
9.47am BST9.47am BST
09:4709:47
Rowena MasonRowena Mason
The former Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, is floating around the European Council, saying Theresa May’s efforts are “absolutely dismal” and she should not have signed up to talking simply about three red-line issues - EU citizens, Northern Ireland and money - before going on to discuss trade.The former Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, is floating around the European Council, saying Theresa May’s efforts are “absolutely dismal” and she should not have signed up to talking simply about three red-line issues - EU citizens, Northern Ireland and money - before going on to discuss trade.
But he held out some hope there could be a breakthrough, courtesy of the German chancellor Angela Merkel, who he said was under pressure from domestic industry. “Merkel could be the peace broker. She is the only hope,” he said.But he held out some hope there could be a breakthrough, courtesy of the German chancellor Angela Merkel, who he said was under pressure from domestic industry. “Merkel could be the peace broker. She is the only hope,” he said.
9.23am BST9.23am BST
09:2309:23
A Commons committee will examine how prepared the government is for a “no deal” exit from the European Union.A Commons committee will examine how prepared the government is for a “no deal” exit from the European Union.
The Treasury select committee will hear from Sir Ivan Rogers, the UK’s former ambassador to the European Union, who has described a no deal Brexit as “nuts”.The Treasury select committee will hear from Sir Ivan Rogers, the UK’s former ambassador to the European Union, who has described a no deal Brexit as “nuts”.
The committee, which is led by the former cabinet minister Nicky Morgan, will consider transitional arrangements and the long-term economic relationship between the UK and EU as part of its inquiry. Morgan, a Conservative MP and a prominent Remain supporter, said:The committee, which is led by the former cabinet minister Nicky Morgan, will consider transitional arrangements and the long-term economic relationship between the UK and EU as part of its inquiry. Morgan, a Conservative MP and a prominent Remain supporter, said:
The progress and outcome of the Brexit negotiations will have profound implications for the economy and public finances. The committee will consider the short-term risks to an orderly withdrawal, and the shape of the long-term economic relationship.The progress and outcome of the Brexit negotiations will have profound implications for the economy and public finances. The committee will consider the short-term risks to an orderly withdrawal, and the shape of the long-term economic relationship.
Firms and individuals need certainty about the situation after March 2019. The priority of the inquiry, therefore, will be to consider the negotiation, design and governance of transitional arrangements.Firms and individuals need certainty about the situation after March 2019. The priority of the inquiry, therefore, will be to consider the negotiation, design and governance of transitional arrangements.
Sir Ivan, who quit his Brussels post in January citing “muddled thinking” about Brexit, will give evidence on October 25 along with legal experts Professor Sir Alan Dashwood QC and Professor Catherine Barnard.Sir Ivan, who quit his Brussels post in January citing “muddled thinking” about Brexit, will give evidence on October 25 along with legal experts Professor Sir Alan Dashwood QC and Professor Catherine Barnard.
9.07am BST9.07am BST
09:0709:07
The Department for Exiting the EU has responded to reports that the minister in charge, David Davis, is planning to present a “no-deal” plan to the cabinet, saying:The Department for Exiting the EU has responded to reports that the minister in charge, David Davis, is planning to present a “no-deal” plan to the cabinet, saying:
It is in everyone’s interests to secure a good deal for both sides. We think that is by far and away the most likely outcome, but we have a duty to plan for the alternative.It is in everyone’s interests to secure a good deal for both sides. We think that is by far and away the most likely outcome, but we have a duty to plan for the alternative.
9.02am BST9.02am BST
09:0209:02
EU officials say: don't expect any changes to EU position (no talks on trade or trans) in wake of PM's candid appeal to EU27 at dinnerEU officials say: don't expect any changes to EU position (no talks on trade or trans) in wake of PM's candid appeal to EU27 at dinner
If there is a lengthy discussion of the EU27 this morning, it will be over agencies, says EU source. Member states not budging an inchIf there is a lengthy discussion of the EU27 this morning, it will be over agencies, says EU source. Member states not budging an inch
As expected, May and Tusk are meeting in Brussels.As expected, May and Tusk are meeting in Brussels.
Meeting with PM @theresa_may on #Brexit ahead of today’s #EUCO EU27 meeting. pic.twitter.com/MOSXivqkzcMeeting with PM @theresa_may on #Brexit ahead of today’s #EUCO EU27 meeting. pic.twitter.com/MOSXivqkzc
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at 9.05am BSTat 9.05am BST
8.58am BST8.58am BST
08:5808:58
Iain Duncan Smith, the former work and pensions secretary defends the Universal Credit rollout. Opponents have attacked it for pushing people into debt, among other things.Iain Duncan Smith, the former work and pensions secretary defends the Universal Credit rollout. Opponents have attacked it for pushing people into debt, among other things.
The way it was set to roll out is unique because, in the past when tax credit was rolled out, it was rolled out cross the country at one go. Nearly a million people got not money. And, since then, it’s been open to fraud and abuse. Some people say over £20bn has been lost through fraud and tax credits.The way it was set to roll out is unique because, in the past when tax credit was rolled out, it was rolled out cross the country at one go. Nearly a million people got not money. And, since then, it’s been open to fraud and abuse. Some people say over £20bn has been lost through fraud and tax credits.
People still arrive in my surgery and many surgeries having huge debts at the end of the year because of tax credits.People still arrive in my surgery and many surgeries having huge debts at the end of the year because of tax credits.
All of this goes with Universal Credit. But the problem is that when they moved tax credits over... many of these people - 60% coming on to Universal Credit - carry debts and arrears already, directly as a result of those arrangement which are failing.All of this goes with Universal Credit. But the problem is that when they moved tax credits over... many of these people - 60% coming on to Universal Credit - carry debts and arrears already, directly as a result of those arrangement which are failing.
8.52am BST8.52am BST
08:5208:52
Iain Duncan Smith opens his Today programme interview by objecting to the connotations of the phrase ‘no deal’, saying it suggests a position with no trade rules. Instead, it is a case of “what deal”, he says, and World Trade Organisation rules, which would be used if no deal was reached, is a position with trade rules. But he clarifies: it is not a position he would want necessarily to see.Iain Duncan Smith opens his Today programme interview by objecting to the connotations of the phrase ‘no deal’, saying it suggests a position with no trade rules. Instead, it is a case of “what deal”, he says, and World Trade Organisation rules, which would be used if no deal was reached, is a position with trade rules. But he clarifies: it is not a position he would want necessarily to see.
8.39am BST8.39am BST
08:3908:39
The Irish Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said Theresa May told Europe’s leaders she will not accept a physical border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. He commended her address at the summit and said her language on the issue had strengthened.The Irish Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said Theresa May told Europe’s leaders she will not accept a physical border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. He commended her address at the summit and said her language on the issue had strengthened.
She specifically referenced the unique situation for both Ireland and Northern Ireland, which I think was very positive. She strengthened her language in relation to the border. She said the UK would not accept a physical border on the island of Ireland - again very positive language.She specifically referenced the unique situation for both Ireland and Northern Ireland, which I think was very positive. She strengthened her language in relation to the border. She said the UK would not accept a physical border on the island of Ireland - again very positive language.
But Varadkar repeated his call for more detail on the border question.But Varadkar repeated his call for more detail on the border question.
8.31am BST8.31am BST
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The Leave-supporting former cabinet member, Iain Duncan Smith, is also due to give an interview to the same programme in about 15 minutes - check back for updates on that.The Leave-supporting former cabinet member, Iain Duncan Smith, is also due to give an interview to the same programme in about 15 minutes - check back for updates on that.
8.25am BST
08:25
Referring to Labour’s electoral chances, Mandelson closes by saying the party is in a strong position. But he warns Jeremy Corbyn of the dangers of playing only to his base, saying he will win a significantly larger majority at the next general election if he appeals also to more “centrist” voters as well.
8.23am BST
08:23
Asked if he backs a second referendum, Mandelson says he’s “not going that far this morning” and backs parliamentary sign-off on the Brexit deal. That, he says, is because he wants to “listen to the public”.
Mandelson suggests some facets of Brexit are only just coming to light now and talk of reversing course needs to wait. If, in time, the public takes a different view, then Labour should take a different view, he says.
8.20am BST
08:20
Mandelson rejects the suggestion that Labour’s position is no clearer, saying the party wants to remain in the single market and customs union during a transition period. That, he says, would secure economic continuity.
But he acknowledges Labour wants to keep its options open beyond that to see what it could achieve from talks, should it be given the chance to hold them.
8.18am BST
08:18
Mandelson suggests the UK government’s threats to walk away without a deal -like Leave campaign’s claims that one would be easy to achieve - are “ridiculous”.
He further suggests the EU27 don’t know who within the cabinet they are negotiating with because it is split between a hard and soft Brexit.
8.15am BST
08:15
The former Labour cabinet minister, Peter Mandelson, is giving an interview to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on the Brexit negotiations.
He starts by saying no deal would be “disastrous for the county”.
8.13am BST
08:13
The European Commission’s president, Jean-Claude Juncker, said he was not expecting a “miracle” at today’s talks of the kind that would clear the way for an immediate start of trade talks.
The EU27 leaders will consider the progress made in Brexit talks so far, Juncker said, adding: “I don’t think that there will be a miracle.”
Responding to May’s speech, he said: “We have some details but we don’t have all the details we need. But work is going on.”
8.11am BST
08:11
Daniel Boffey
The Lithuanian president, Dalia Grybauskaitė, said both sides needed to stop “positioning” in the media, and start properly negotiating. She said:
It was not expected to have a success at this European council. We hope we will be able, and she will be able to have success in December.
[We need] from words to real deeds. And probably we all – not only the UK, us also – it is time go for real negotiations and and not just negotiating in the the media by rhetoric.
Usually, the first stage of a negotiation starts in the media. We try to position ourselves make nice rhetoric, to show up. Enter thoughts for internal politics, either in Britain or Europe
It is time to go straight to the table.
Asked if she agreed with Muscat that the speech was May’s best effort so far, she said: “If we talk about rhetorical abilities, maybe. But, in negotiations, you need concrete negotiation abilities. Not only rhetoric.”
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8.10am BST
08:10
Daniel Boffey
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, is having an unexpected bilateral with the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, in the margins of the European council meeting in Brussels.
Arriving at the summit, the Maltese prime minister, Joseph Muscat, described Theresa May’s speech the previous evening as her “best performance yet”. However, he said her appeal hadn’t “changed anything”.
I think it was quite a constructive speech that she delivered. She made her case in a very eloquent manner but I think it hasn’t really changed anything from before that. I think today’s assessment will be a fair assessment. It will be one where we show we want to be constructive about what we want next in Brexit. I don’t think it will contain the language that we have made sufficient progress.
To be honest, I think it was her best performance yet in the sense that it conveyed a warm candid and sincere appeal that she wants progress to be made that she has moved her position. I think that was appreciated.
Obviously, there are the problems that we all know. And I think the wording of today’s statement will show there is willingness on the EU side to move forward.
The Austrian chancellor, Christian Kern, said:
It is clear to see there is rhetorical progress but we need to come to conclusions because uncertainty is not good for the continent and economies. It is up the to the British government to propose something that is the basis for progress, that is important.
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8.10am BST
08:10
The EU27, those member states remaining after Brexit, are expected to declare that insufficient progress has been made in negotiations for trade talks to begin. Several leaders have made clear they want more clarity about how much the UK is willing to pay in its Brexit divorce bill.
But they are also expected to offer May a glimmer of hope by agreeing to start internal “scoping” work on their trade stance ahead of a possible green-light for the second phase of negotiations, dealing with trade and the transition to Brexit, at their next gathering on 14-15 December.
The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, said the EU27 needed “more meat on the bone” of Britain’s exit payment, following May’s promise in a speech in Florence last month that the UK would honour financial commitments made as an EU member.
The offer was believed to amount to around €20bn (£18bn), while Brussels is understood to be seeking about three times as much.
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7.54am BST
07:54
May arrives for European council summit's final day
Good morning and welcome to today’s politics live blog, which opens with Theresa May arriving for the final day of talks with fellow EU leaders after her speech at a working dinner last night.
The prime minister did not speak to reporters as she walked into the building in Brussels but she was given a boost by her counterparts after pleading with them last night to “work together to get to an outcome we can stand behind and defend to our people”.
The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, gave an upbeat assessment of the Brexit talks, saying that she sees no reason why they should not succeed.
I have no doubt that if we are all in clear minds ... We are going to achieve a good outcome. As far as I am concerned, I don’t hear any reason to believe that we are not going to be successful.
Merkel said she was “highly motivated” to work on a new mandate for chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, which might permit trade talks to begin in December. But she warned the second stage of talks would be “more complicated than the first”.
On the divorce issues dealt with in the first stage, there was “by and large general agreement” on the future status of the Irish border and “headway” was being made on expats’ rights after Brexit, Merkel said, though she added that May had made no specific new offer on Britain’s financial settlement.
The Maltese prime minister, Joseph Muscat, said May had delivered “her best performance yet” at Thursday evening’s dinner, but that her intervention had not “really changed anything”. He told Sky News:
It conveyed a warm, candid and sincere appeal that she wants progress to be made, that she has moved in her position. I think it was appreciated.
Muscat said problems remained in the Brexit process and that he did not expect the EU27 to clear the way for trade talks at this summit. But he said: “I think the wording in today’s conclusions will show that there is willingness on the EU side to move forward.”
Here’s a brief – but by no means exhaustive – preview of the morning’s action at the European council summit in Brussels:
May is expected to hold talks with the council’s president, Donald Tusk, before leaving early as the remaining 27 leaders discuss their assessment of progress on Brexit in her absence.
She will give a press conference at 10am (BST) and another with Jean-Claude Junker, the president of the European commission, and Barnier is due at 11.30am.
The former Labour cabinet minister, Peter Mandelson, is due to give an interview to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme at 8.10am.
Updated
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