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EU leaders arrive at summit to discuss Brexit progress - Politics Live EU leaders arrive at summit to discuss Brexit progress - Politics Live
(35 minutes later)
Writing for Comment is Free, Jonathan Portes, senior fellow of UK in a Changing Europe, says the idea that Parliament will have a meaningful say on Brexit, following this week’s amendment requiring MPs to get a vote on any final deal with the EU, is a false one.
He writes:
By then it will be too late. The UK’s negotiating position on this all-important aspect of Brexit will have to be set out in the next couple of months. If parliament actually wants a meaningful voice on this – perhaps the most important single choice about the future of the UK economy since the mid-1970s – it needs to act now.
It should insist that, before we table anything in Brussels for the phase 2 negotiations, there should be a proper debate in parliament. Let’s settle the things we didn’t and couldn’t decide in the referendum. Do we care more about the freedom to set our own regulations or about being part of the largest single market in the world? Do we care more about ending free movement or about preserving free trade with Europe? Do we care more about “frictionless” borders in Ireland and Dover or about trade deals with the US? These are vitally important political and economic questions, with no “right” answers. And they shouldn’t be left to a weak prime minister and her divided cabinet and party.
The Press Association has details of what the EU leaders ate for dinner last night because people are apparently interested in these things.The Press Association has details of what the EU leaders ate for dinner last night because people are apparently interested in these things.
They had B̶o̶r̶i̶s̶ ̶J̶o̶h̶n̶s̶o̶n̶ roasted langoustines for starter followed by a main course of T̶h̶e̶r̶e̶s̶a̶ ̶M̶a̶y̶ capon and D̶a̶v̶i̶d̶ ̶D̶a̶v̶i̶s̶ festive log “with a twist” for dessert.They had B̶o̶r̶i̶s̶ ̶J̶o̶h̶n̶s̶o̶n̶ roasted langoustines for starter followed by a main course of T̶h̶e̶r̶e̶s̶a̶ ̶M̶a̶y̶ capon and D̶a̶v̶i̶d̶ ̶D̶a̶v̶i̶s̶ festive log “with a twist” for dessert.
Lithuania’s president has offered Theresa May a Christmas message, in a tweet next to the Christmas tree in the building where EU leaders are meeting:Lithuania’s president has offered Theresa May a Christmas message, in a tweet next to the Christmas tree in the building where EU leaders are meeting:
Past is history, future – a mystery. #Brexit #EUCO pic.twitter.com/cbHrMNngwnPast is history, future – a mystery. #Brexit #EUCO pic.twitter.com/cbHrMNngwn
The second part of the tweet points to the fact EU leaders are still waiting to hear from the British government what it wants from Brexit.The second part of the tweet points to the fact EU leaders are still waiting to hear from the British government what it wants from Brexit.
Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte told reporters last night that the UK now had to decide what it hoped to get from its future relationship with the European Union.Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte told reporters last night that the UK now had to decide what it hoped to get from its future relationship with the European Union.
Is it membership or not of the internal market, will they stay in the customs union or not? If not, what would that future relationship be, what is a Canada plus plus plus [as referred to by David Davis]? This is all for the UK to now decide on how they sketch out the future relationship with the European Union.Is it membership or not of the internal market, will they stay in the customs union or not? If not, what would that future relationship be, what is a Canada plus plus plus [as referred to by David Davis]? This is all for the UK to now decide on how they sketch out the future relationship with the European Union.
Here is Daniel Boffey’s story containing more reaction to Theresa May’s speech last night and details of what is expected today:Here is Daniel Boffey’s story containing more reaction to Theresa May’s speech last night and details of what is expected today:
The round table on article 50 is due to commence shortly (at 10am).The round table on article 50 is due to commence shortly (at 10am).
Talks about #Brexit transition period should begin in January, a cheerful-looking @MichelBarnier tells me as we chat during the European Council. #Barnierbantz episode 57. pic.twitter.com/7ymA7tBredTalks about #Brexit transition period should begin in January, a cheerful-looking @MichelBarnier tells me as we chat during the European Council. #Barnierbantz episode 57. pic.twitter.com/7ymA7tBred
Not everyone agrees that the applause for Theresa May last night was wholehearted.Not everyone agrees that the applause for Theresa May last night was wholehearted.
Austrian chancellor Christian Kern perhaps a tad on the mean side says applause for May ‘not very enthusiastic’Austrian chancellor Christian Kern perhaps a tad on the mean side says applause for May ‘not very enthusiastic’
Jean Claude Juncker, president of the European commission said it “depends on the British parliament and British people” to decide whether the UK will ultimately leave the EU.Jean Claude Juncker, president of the European commission said it “depends on the British parliament and British people” to decide whether the UK will ultimately leave the EU.
Asked about the round of applause given to Theresa May at the end of her address to leaders at a summit dinner on Thursday night, Juncker said:Asked about the round of applause given to Theresa May at the end of her address to leaders at a summit dinner on Thursday night, Juncker said:
Yes. Some of us thought, including me, that she did make a big effort and this has to be recognised.Yes. Some of us thought, including me, that she did make a big effort and this has to be recognised.
The prime minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat, said the EU was “grateful to prime minister May for her commitments” but that he hoped the UK would present its vision “in the next few weeks” to enable trade talks after a March European council summit.The prime minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat, said the EU was “grateful to prime minister May for her commitments” but that he hoped the UK would present its vision “in the next few weeks” to enable trade talks after a March European council summit.
Dalia Grybauskaitė, the president of Lithuania, also said she expected negotiations “on the future” to “probably start in March.Dalia Grybauskaitė, the president of Lithuania, also said she expected negotiations “on the future” to “probably start in March.
Good morning, welcome to live coverage of the EU 27 summit.Good morning, welcome to live coverage of the EU 27 summit.
After nine months of wrangling, EU leaders are set to decide that enough progress has been made on the first phase of Brexit talks to move negotiations on to discussions about Britain’s future outside the bloc.After nine months of wrangling, EU leaders are set to decide that enough progress has been made on the first phase of Brexit talks to move negotiations on to discussions about Britain’s future outside the bloc.
Stay tuned for all the developments including live updates from the joint press conference by the president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, and the president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, which is scheduled for 12.30pm GMT.Stay tuned for all the developments including live updates from the joint press conference by the president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, and the president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, which is scheduled for 12.30pm GMT.