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Brexit deal: everyone born in N Ireland will retain EU citizenship after May agrees no hard border – live | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The reaction by many Labour politicians has been one of cautious, muted - perhaps even begrudging - congratulation. The shadow Brexit secretary, Keir Starmer, typifies it, saying: | |
Despite being two months later than originally planned, it is encouraging that the European Commission has recommended sufficient progress in the Brexit negotiations. | |
The priority for both sides now must be to agree transitional arrangements on the same basic terms as we have now. That means staying in the single market and a customs union for a time-limited period. | |
We will also need to know the political price of the deal struck and the impact any compromise that has been agreed will have on our future relationship with the EU. | |
As the talks now move on to a discussion about Britain’s future relationship with the European Union, Theresa May must seriously reflect on her approach to the negotiations so far. We cannot have another year of chaos and confusion or the farcical scenes we saw earlier on in the week that put jobs and the economy at risk. | |
Michel Barnier, the European chief negotiator, is next up. He thanks those he has worked with on the talks to achieve the agreement. He says the EU side has worked together and there has been “real progress” on the three main issues. | |
He warns that there are more hurdles to be cleared in future. | |
Speaking to Today, Gove repeats his referendum claim that money that would otherwise have gone to the European Union will now be available to the NHS, though he gives no precise figure for how much that would be. | |
That is party because he wants to remain steadfast in his refusal to say how much the UK will end up having to pay the EU. | |
The report released today does not specify a figure. But it says the UK will be required to continue contributions to the EU budget up to the end of 2020 “as if it had remained in the union”. | |
It will also remain liable for its share of outstanding financial commitments and liabilities up to December 31 2020. The financial settlement “will be drawn up and paid in euro”. | |
Gove said the “role” of the Court of Justice of the European Union will be limited to eight years - during which time, courts in the UK would need to pay “due regard” to its decisions. | |
British judges could refer cases to the court, he says, for guidance. But Gove stresses that “would be a matter for British judges” where they believe EU case law is not sufficiently clear. | |
Gove adds that any EU sceptic would be happy with the deal the prime minister has agreed, had they been presented with it two years ago. However, in June last year, Gove was quoted as saying that, in the days immediately after Brexit, the government should pass “emergency measures to curb the baleful influence” of the European Court of Justice. | |
The senior Leave campaigner, Michael Gove, has been speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. He said the agreement was a “significant personal, political achievement” for Theresa May. | |
Varadkar: "There is no question of us trying to exploit Brexit as a means of moving to a United Ireland without consent. " | |
The Irish Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, is holding a press conference right now. He says: “We have achieved all that we set out to achieve.” He said the parameters on the “Irish issues” had been set - and they were met. | The Irish Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, is holding a press conference right now. He says: “We have achieved all that we set out to achieve.” He said the parameters on the “Irish issues” had been set - and they were met. |
Varadkar paraphrases Winston Churchill, saying: “This is not the end, but it is the end of the beginning.” | Varadkar paraphrases Winston Churchill, saying: “This is not the end, but it is the end of the beginning.” |
Everyone born in Northern Ireland will retain their right to EU citizenship, he confirms. | Everyone born in Northern Ireland will retain their right to EU citizenship, he confirms. |
Here is the full text of Donald Tusk’s speech: | Here is the full text of Donald Tusk’s speech: |
This morning, I received the confirmation from our negotiators that sufficient progress has been made. This allows me to present the draft guidelines for the December European Council, which I have just sent to the leaders. My proposals are the following. | This morning, I received the confirmation from our negotiators that sufficient progress has been made. This allows me to present the draft guidelines for the December European Council, which I have just sent to the leaders. My proposals are the following. |
First, we should start negotiating the transition period, so that people and businesses have clarity about their situation. As you know, the UK has asked for a transition of about two years, while remaining part of the Single Market and Customs Union. And we will be ready to discuss this, but naturally, we have our conditions. I propose that during this period, the UK will respect: | First, we should start negotiating the transition period, so that people and businesses have clarity about their situation. As you know, the UK has asked for a transition of about two years, while remaining part of the Single Market and Customs Union. And we will be ready to discuss this, but naturally, we have our conditions. I propose that during this period, the UK will respect: |
the whole of EU law, including new law; | the whole of EU law, including new law; |
it will respect budgetary commitments; | it will respect budgetary commitments; |
it will respect judicial oversight; | it will respect judicial oversight; |
and of course, all the related obligations. | and of course, all the related obligations. |
the whole of EU law, including new law; | the whole of EU law, including new law; |
it will respect budgetary commitments; | it will respect budgetary commitments; |
it will respect judicial oversight; | it will respect judicial oversight; |
and of course, all the related obligations. | and of course, all the related obligations. |
Clearly, within the transition period following the UK’s withdrawal, EU decision-making will continue among the 27 member states, without the UK. | Clearly, within the transition period following the UK’s withdrawal, EU decision-making will continue among the 27 member states, without the UK. |
All of what I have said seems to be the only reasonable solution, and it is in the interest of all our citizens that it is agreed as soon as possible. This is why I will ask the EU leaders to mandate our negotiator to start these talks immediately. | All of what I have said seems to be the only reasonable solution, and it is in the interest of all our citizens that it is agreed as soon as possible. This is why I will ask the EU leaders to mandate our negotiator to start these talks immediately. |
Second, we want to begin discussions with the UK in order to explore the British vision of its future relationship with the EU. So far, we have heard a number of various ideas. We need more clarity on how the UK sees our future relations, after it has left the Single Market and Customs Union. I therefore propose to mandate our negotiator to start exploratory talks with our British friends about this problem. On our side, we are ready to start preparing a close EU-UK partnership in trade, but also in the fight against terrorism and international crime as well as security, defence and foreign policy. For this to happen, the European Council will have to adopt additional guidelines next year. | Second, we want to begin discussions with the UK in order to explore the British vision of its future relationship with the EU. So far, we have heard a number of various ideas. We need more clarity on how the UK sees our future relations, after it has left the Single Market and Customs Union. I therefore propose to mandate our negotiator to start exploratory talks with our British friends about this problem. On our side, we are ready to start preparing a close EU-UK partnership in trade, but also in the fight against terrorism and international crime as well as security, defence and foreign policy. For this to happen, the European Council will have to adopt additional guidelines next year. |
While being satisfied with today’s agreement, which is obviously the personal success of Prime Minister Theresa May, let us remember that the most difficult challenge is still ahead. We all know that breaking up is hard. But breaking up and building a new relation is much harder. Since the Brexit referendum, a year and a half has passed. So much time has been devoted to the easier part of the task. And now, to negotiate a transition arrangement and the framework for our future relationship, we have de facto less than a year. Thank you | While being satisfied with today’s agreement, which is obviously the personal success of Prime Minister Theresa May, let us remember that the most difficult challenge is still ahead. We all know that breaking up is hard. But breaking up and building a new relation is much harder. Since the Brexit referendum, a year and a half has passed. So much time has been devoted to the easier part of the task. And now, to negotiate a transition arrangement and the framework for our future relationship, we have de facto less than a year. Thank you |
As previously noted, Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon has already responded to the announcement on Twitter, cautioning that “things now get really tough” and repeating her warning that “any special arrangements for Northern Ireland must be available to other UK nations”. | As previously noted, Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon has already responded to the announcement on Twitter, cautioning that “things now get really tough” and repeating her warning that “any special arrangements for Northern Ireland must be available to other UK nations”. |
At first minister’s questions yesterday, Sturgeon blasted Theresa May’s government as “dissembling, mendacious and totally, totally incompetent” and challenged Jeremy Corbyn to “get his act together” to champion a Commons majority in favour of staying within the single market and the customs union. | At first minister’s questions yesterday, Sturgeon blasted Theresa May’s government as “dissembling, mendacious and totally, totally incompetent” and challenged Jeremy Corbyn to “get his act together” to champion a Commons majority in favour of staying within the single market and the customs union. |
Earlier in the week, she argued that Scotland would a “doubly disadvantaged” by special status for Northern Ireland and hinted that such a scenario would strengthen the case for independence. | Earlier in the week, she argued that Scotland would a “doubly disadvantaged” by special status for Northern Ireland and hinted that such a scenario would strengthen the case for independence. |
The Scottish Tory leader, Ruth Davidson, who warned May earlier this week that her draft deal for Northern Ireland risked bolstering Sturgeon’s calls for independence, has issued a brief and brisk comment on Twitter: | The Scottish Tory leader, Ruth Davidson, who warned May earlier this week that her draft deal for Northern Ireland risked bolstering Sturgeon’s calls for independence, has issued a brief and brisk comment on Twitter: |
Good news on moving to phase 2 in EU negotiations. Now, let's talk trade. | Good news on moving to phase 2 in EU negotiations. Now, let's talk trade. |
Political reaction to the news is starting to come in. Perhaps unsurprisingly, members of the cabinet are in congratulatory mood: | Political reaction to the news is starting to come in. Perhaps unsurprisingly, members of the cabinet are in congratulatory mood: |
1/2 Delighted we've reached an agreement which will give both Europeans here in the UK and British citizens in the EU binding guarantees about their residence rights. | 1/2 Delighted we've reached an agreement which will give both Europeans here in the UK and British citizens in the EU binding guarantees about their residence rights. |
2/2 I hope this will now give those concerned real peace of mind. We are building a new system so that the application process will be smooth and simple. For now, EU citizens in the UK, do not need to do anything. | 2/2 I hope this will now give those concerned real peace of mind. We are building a new system so that the application process will be smooth and simple. For now, EU citizens in the UK, do not need to do anything. |
Today is a big step forward in delivering Brexit. Been a lot of work but glad the Commission have now recommended that sufficient progress has been reached. https://t.co/FktDUgtEoJ | Today is a big step forward in delivering Brexit. Been a lot of work but glad the Commission have now recommended that sufficient progress has been reached. https://t.co/FktDUgtEoJ |
Citizens can now be confident about the rights they enjoy; we should now move forward to discuss our future relationship with the EU on issues like trade and security. | Citizens can now be confident about the rights they enjoy; we should now move forward to discuss our future relationship with the EU on issues like trade and security. |
Today's announcement in Brussels is a boost for Britain's economy. Now let's conclude a trade deal that supports Britain's jobs, businesses and prosperity. | Today's announcement in Brussels is a boost for Britain's economy. Now let's conclude a trade deal that supports Britain's jobs, businesses and prosperity. |
However, outside the government, scepticism remains: | However, outside the government, scepticism remains: |
Move to phase 2 of talks good - but devil is in the detail and things now get really tough. If #Brexit is happening (wish it wasn’t) staying in single market & customs union is only sensible option. And any special arrangements for NI must be available to other UK nations. | Move to phase 2 of talks good - but devil is in the detail and things now get really tough. If #Brexit is happening (wish it wasn’t) staying in single market & customs union is only sensible option. And any special arrangements for NI must be available to other UK nations. |
Fair play that a way through, for now, has been agreed. BUT, the impossibility of PM’s red lines against demands of UK’s needs and wants will keep re-emerging. https://t.co/ShFm5I6gVy | Fair play that a way through, for now, has been agreed. BUT, the impossibility of PM’s red lines against demands of UK’s needs and wants will keep re-emerging. https://t.co/ShFm5I6gVy |
This is the most worrying part of this last week - Government held to ransom by the DUP https://t.co/3Goe30y7pe | This is the most worrying part of this last week - Government held to ransom by the DUP https://t.co/3Goe30y7pe |
Relieved we're onto phase two, but notice people with opposing viewpoints on longer-term relationship with EU are cheering the same section of text. Creative ambiguity means big battles still ahead. | Relieved we're onto phase two, but notice people with opposing viewpoints on longer-term relationship with EU are cheering the same section of text. Creative ambiguity means big battles still ahead. |
The MEP and arch-Brexiter, Nigel Farage, is unimpressed: | The MEP and arch-Brexiter, Nigel Farage, is unimpressed: |
A deal in Brussels is good news for Mrs May as we can now move on to the next stage of humiliation. | A deal in Brussels is good news for Mrs May as we can now move on to the next stage of humiliation. |
Senior Brexiteer tells me 'it's not perfect, but it's enough, and they have listened' | Senior Brexiteer tells me 'it's not perfect, but it's enough, and they have listened' |
Here’s a recap of the moment Jean-Claude Juncker confirmed enough progress had been made to proceed to the second phase of negotiations. | Here’s a recap of the moment Jean-Claude Juncker confirmed enough progress had been made to proceed to the second phase of negotiations. |
The DUP sets out the six concessions it says it managed to secure during negotiations: | The DUP sets out the six concessions it says it managed to secure during negotiations: |
6 points the DUP say they have achieved in their negotiations pic.twitter.com/EUeOkPCk1V | 6 points the DUP say they have achieved in their negotiations pic.twitter.com/EUeOkPCk1V |
The party’s leader, Arlene Foster, called it “substantial progress”. Her negotiations with Theresa May went into the early hours of Friday, but she made it clear that she believed there was “still more work to be done”. | The party’s leader, Arlene Foster, called it “substantial progress”. Her negotiations with Theresa May went into the early hours of Friday, but she made it clear that she believed there was “still more work to be done”. |