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Version 6 Version 7
Brexit deal: everyone born in N Ireland will retain EU citizenship after May agrees no hard border – live Brexit deal: everyone born in N Ireland will retain EU citizenship after May agrees no hard border – live
(35 minutes later)
Democratic Unionist sources said the key aspect of the late-night agreement was the fact that trading regulations with Ireland - and indeed the whole of the EU - would be UK-wide.
They described this outcome as “Nigel’s red line” - a reference to the DUP leader at Westminster, Nigel Dodds. The North Belfast MP had insisted through the night that any trading relationships would be uniform whether they be in Bristol, Birmingham or Belfast.
The sources also said it was a ‘Troika’ of DUP leaders who sat through the night in constant touch with the prime minister’s officials in Brussels and London. They included Dodds and the party’s chief whip in the Commons, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.
The pair liaised with the DUP’s leader, Arlene Foster, who remained at her home in Enniskillen, Co.Fermanagh.
The mood in the party so far this morning is said to be calm and relatively relaxed about this new arrangement, which the DUP high command is selling to the grassroots as a guarantee against the redrawing of the border into the Irish Sea or, in effect, decoupling Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.
The Liberal Democrat leader, Vince Cable, welcomed news of the agreement, saying it would reduce the “risk of a catastrophic No Deal Brexit”
But how long will this deal last before it is torn apart by Theresa May’s own MPs? And what will happen next, seeing as the cabinet hasn’t even discussed yet what the final Brexit outcome should look like?
There are still two opposing views in government, those who want a close arrangement with the EU and those who want to tear apart decades of work building ties with our closest trading partner.
And there is still no solution over how to prevent a border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. The biggest obstacle to the government’s Brexit plans is being kicked into the long grass.
The government is still a long way from a final deal, and even further from delivering on what the Brexiters promised.
At the end of this process, it is the British people, not Tory MPs and the DUP, who should get to decide whether the deal is good enough.
Following the lead of many of his Labour colleagues, the mayor of London Sadiq Khan says the prime minister has “done what is necessary”, but that we “should have got to this point many months ago”. He says:
The government need to now accelerate progress - we simply cannot afford further delays. It is clear from the many conversations I have with business leaders that they need to know the details of the interim deal as early as possible in order to avoid having to put contingency plans into place.
I welcome the apparent U-turn from Theresa May on the rights of EU citizens living in the UK, and British citizens living in the EU. I will pore over the details of this over the coming days because there needs to be clear and unambiguous reassurance to the three million EU citizens in Britain – one million of whom are Londoners – that they can stay, and that they’ll have automatic full rights.
However, it is extremely disappointing that the prime minister is still insisting that Britain will leave the single market and customs union. Staying in both is without a doubt the best long-term solution for London and Britain.
Despite the progress today, it looks increasingly unlikely that we will get a deal that works in London’s best interests and protects jobs and growth across Britain.
Following on from Khan’s focus on business confidence in the capital - on a national leavel, the Confederation of British Industry says this morning’s news will “lift spirits in the run-up to Christmas”. Its deputy director-general, Josh Hardie, says:
There are two things that are top of the list. First is the final step for those EU citizens working here, and UK citizens abroad. It must be unequivocal that they are welcome, whatever the final deal. This cannot be their second Christmas where their rights are dependent on negotiations. Next is transition. Concrete assurances will build confidence and help firms across the UK and Europe to pause their contingency planning.
The national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, Mike Cherry, also welcomes the progress. He says:
The focus must now shift to the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU. This should include, by early next year, a guarantee that there will be no cliff-edge moment on Brexit day, but instead an orderly, time-limited transition period so that small firms only have one set of rule changes. The final deal must have as few barriers to trade as possible.
In a statement released via the anti-Brexit Open Britain campaign, the Labour MP Chuka Umunna says it was “about time” the prime minister concluded an agreement that allowed the UK to move on to talks about a trade deal.
Echoing the comments made by the European Council president, Donald Tusk, Umunna says:
A huge amount of time has been lost thanks to divisions in Cabinet, and the prime minister’s ridiculous red lines. In the meantime, new facts have come to light, on everything from Northern Ireland to the impact of Brexit for our NHS.
It has cost us a £50bn divorce bill to get this far. This is on top of a huge hit of tens of billions of pounds in lower growth since the referendum and higher prices in the shops because of the plunge in the value of the pound.
When it comes to trade talks, the only model on offer is a Canada-style agreement which the prime minister and the chancellor have said would be bad for our economy.
Faced with these new facts, people will understandably want to keep an open mind as to whether the costs of Brexit are worth it.
Lots of Labour politicians are making the argument that this morning’s deal still leaves us with the same difficulties in the second phase - and they believe it is now more likely we remain within the EU economic structures. One MP, Stephen Doughty, tells me:
The only way that full alignment can be achieved is remaining in the Customs Union and Single Market. It has been clear all along that you can’t have your cake and eat it in these negotiations. This is where reality bites. Perhaps now the absurdity of a no deal scenario and crashing out will finally be taken of the table by the Brextremists.
Also interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Scotland’s Brexit minister Michael Russell appeared to flesh out Nicola Sturgeon’s earlier concerns about “special arrangements for Northern Ireland”, saying:
The agreement talks about giving the Northern Ireland assembly and executive full rights to make certain decisions. We’ve been asking for this for a year, so it seems rather perverse that the Northern Irish - who didn’t want it - get given it, and Scotland - which does want it - doesn’t get given it.
Russell said that the deal was currently confused.
The agreement also seems to indicate a very close relationship with the single market and the customs union... but that’s not something [about which] you can be ambiguous... Trying to pretend it does and doesn’t exist will not be possible in the next stage.
Asked by John Humphrys what the difference was between ‘full alignment’ and ‘membership of’, Russell joked: “If you have the answer to that I think you will do well.”
The DUP are going to face some opposition in its further right flank over this new Brexit/border deal.
The hard-line Traditional Unionist Voice, which is made up mainly of ex-DUP members opposed to power sharing government with Sinn Fein, have come out against the agreement.
TUV leader and former DUP MEP Jim Allister said the arrangement was “one way traffic” that only makes commitments by the UK to the EU and not the other way around.
He added: “If there is no UK/EU trade deal, is wholly prejudicial to Northern Ireland’s complete leaving of the EU. This default position, if there is no deal, leaves us entrapped within the EU’s single market and customs union on an unspecified, but clearly extensive, range of issues, whereas the rest of the UK would be liberated from such.”
This morning, however, DUP sources said they were confident they could sell the broad outline of this deal to their membership and, indeed, the wider unionist electorate.
Although Allister and the TUV are a monkey on the DUP’s back, it will be the reaction of the Ulster Unionists that will be more important in terms of unionism’s overall position on the arrangement.
If the UUP broadly accepts the terms of what Theresa May has secured overnight, then the larger DUP will be comfortable in terms of selling this package.
DUP statement: "There is still a major debate within the Cabinet, Parliament, the Conservative Party and other parties about the nature of any regulatory alignment with the EU that may be required post Brexit. We believe that the paper could pre-judge the outcome of that debate"
DUP statement 2/2: We cautioned the Prime Minister about proceeding with this agreement in its present form given the issues which still need to be resolved and the views expressed to us by many of her own party colleagues."
Looking back to Ireland, where the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been speaking and more reaction has been coming out from other sources, my colleague Lisa O’Carroll has this:
Varadkar: “This is not the end but it is end of the beginning” pic.twitter.com/8SjdC0sDkk
Varadkar: "There is no question of us trying to exploit Brexit as a means of moving to a United Ireland without consent. "
Varadkar pledges continues support to May: "To our neighbours in Britain – I thank you for your careful consideration of our concerns your good will your good faith. We have always shared common interset in peace, free movement and prosperity for anyone on these islands"
Varadkar added that he had not spoken to the leader of the DUP, Arlene Foster. But he made reference to the changes in the text - responsibility for many of which Foster has claimed:
Varadkar: Changes in text? "Many were stylistic, they were changes of language, or statements of fact which we had no difficulty with, the one change that is significant is par 50 is an assurance that people and business in NI there will be barriers to trade"west-east
Varadkar"Brexit by its nature has strained relations between Ireland and the UK, of course it has, how could it not." But he says the UK will not have a "closer friend" in coming negotiations on the back of this agreement.
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: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.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.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.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.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.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.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.
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.
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.
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;
it will respect budgetary commitments;
it will respect judicial oversight;
and of course, all the related obligations.
the whole of EU law, including new law;
it will respect budgetary commitments;
it will respect judicial oversight;
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.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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:
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'
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:
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”.