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| EU leaders agree to move to second-stage Brexit talks - Politics Live | EU leaders agree to move to second-stage Brexit talks - Politics Live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| French and stuck in England by Brexit? No chance. If you are an EU citizen you will continue to have the right to travel around the EU whatever the outcome of Brexit. | |
| But British nationals in Europe fear being stranded on the continent after Brexit and have called on Theresa May and EU leaders to make EU citizens a key strand in the phase two negotiations. | |
| They say the “failure to even discuss the deprivation of UK citizens in the EU” who face losing their freedom of movement rights could leave them landlocked in the countries they have adopted, unable to move for business or family reasons. | |
| EU citizens settled in the UK will continue to have freedom of movements rights post Brexit as EU passport holders, while UK citizens elsewhere in Europe will not. | |
| Jane Golding, chair of British in Europe, a coalition of 10 campaign groups, said | |
| Imagine a French person living and working in Sheffield is suddenly no longer allowed to move outside Yorkshire to live or to work after Brexit. When we moved to the EU it was to a single territory without internal borders, not one with walls along national boundaries. The decision to defer discussion of our free movement means that many of the most enterprising citizens the UK has produced in the last 40 years have no idea yet how they will continue to earn a living. | |
| The group fear citizens rights will “now fall off the radar” during the transition and trade talks and have called for a separate strand on talks on EU citizens rights in the same way as Ireland has got a separate strand on the Irish border. | |
| My colleague Richard Partington has written about a survey for the Bank of England which suggests that almost a decade of improvements in household finances has started to be unpicked in the year since the EU referendum. | My colleague Richard Partington has written about a survey for the Bank of England which suggests that almost a decade of improvements in household finances has started to be unpicked in the year since the EU referendum. |
| Here’s video of the prime minister claiming that second-stage Brexit talks will begin immediately, contradicting the European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, who said they will commence in March. | Here’s video of the prime minister claiming that second-stage Brexit talks will begin immediately, contradicting the European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, who said they will commence in March. |
| Talks about "future relationship" between UK and EU will begin "straight away", says Prime Minister Theresa May https://t.co/HvPmG1cJd5 pic.twitter.com/G3JQU5cyy3 | Talks about "future relationship" between UK and EU will begin "straight away", says Prime Minister Theresa May https://t.co/HvPmG1cJd5 pic.twitter.com/G3JQU5cyy3 |
| The Association of Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) has warned that business continue to face major uncertainty despite today’s agreement. Chief executive Simon Lewis said: | The Association of Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) has warned that business continue to face major uncertainty despite today’s agreement. Chief executive Simon Lewis said: |
| We very much welcome the council’s decision that enough progress has been made to move to the second phase of the Brexit negotiations and to proceed with negotiations on a transition period. This is of crucial importance for businesses to ensure an orderly transition and financial stability. | We very much welcome the council’s decision that enough progress has been made to move to the second phase of the Brexit negotiations and to proceed with negotiations on a transition period. This is of crucial importance for businesses to ensure an orderly transition and financial stability. |
| Businesses continue to face significant uncertainty and we urge the UK and EU27 to reach agreement on transitional arrangements, including addressing issues relating to the continuity of services under existing cross-border contracts as soon as possible. We also call on the parties to clarify the framework for the future relationship as soon as possible to provide businesses with a clearer direction of travel. | Businesses continue to face significant uncertainty and we urge the UK and EU27 to reach agreement on transitional arrangements, including addressing issues relating to the continuity of services under existing cross-border contracts as soon as possible. We also call on the parties to clarify the framework for the future relationship as soon as possible to provide businesses with a clearer direction of travel. |
| Similar sentiments were expressed by TheCityUK, which represents UK-based financial and related professional services industry. Chief executive Miles Celic said: | Similar sentiments were expressed by TheCityUK, which represents UK-based financial and related professional services industry. Chief executive Miles Celic said: |
| The first great Brexit hurdle has been cleared. It is right to celebrate this progress, but the momentum must now be maintained to deliver the future UK-EU relationship. That job is not yet done. | The first great Brexit hurdle has been cleared. It is right to celebrate this progress, but the momentum must now be maintained to deliver the future UK-EU relationship. That job is not yet done. |
| Nearly one year into the negotiations, many of the critical issues relevant to our industry are yet to be discussed. Businesses, their employees and customers continue to face uncertainty. To address this, rapid progress needs to be made towards agreeing a transition period and further clarity provided on the shape of the final deal. It’s time for the negotiators on both sides to crack on and focus on the future. | Nearly one year into the negotiations, many of the critical issues relevant to our industry are yet to be discussed. Businesses, their employees and customers continue to face uncertainty. To address this, rapid progress needs to be made towards agreeing a transition period and further clarity provided on the shape of the final deal. It’s time for the negotiators on both sides to crack on and focus on the future. |
| Stephen Hammond, who voted against the government on the EU withdrawal bill on Wednesday, and was sacked as Conservative party vice-chair as a result, has explained why he did so. | Stephen Hammond, who voted against the government on the EU withdrawal bill on Wednesday, and was sacked as Conservative party vice-chair as a result, has explained why he did so. |
| He says: | He says: |
| I took no pleasure in voting against the government and my party for the first time. It was a very difficult decision, but I believe it was the right one. There did not have to be a rebellion, it was completely avoidable. My colleagues and I had raised our concerns with the government three months ago and have been trying to work with the government to find a solution that everybody would be happy with. In the end, the minor concessions offered 15 minutes before the vote unfortunately failed to address the issues being raised. Therefore, I had to vote with my conscience and put my country and constituency first. | I took no pleasure in voting against the government and my party for the first time. It was a very difficult decision, but I believe it was the right one. There did not have to be a rebellion, it was completely avoidable. My colleagues and I had raised our concerns with the government three months ago and have been trying to work with the government to find a solution that everybody would be happy with. In the end, the minor concessions offered 15 minutes before the vote unfortunately failed to address the issues being raised. Therefore, I had to vote with my conscience and put my country and constituency first. |
| Amendment 7 passing does not undermine the government or the prime minister, nor does it make it more likely Jeremy Corbyn will become prime minister. The evidence for this is clear as the EU27 have just agreed to move to the next phase of talks. The talk of delay is just what whips say to try to scare MPs and what the newspapers say to make a story. | Amendment 7 passing does not undermine the government or the prime minister, nor does it make it more likely Jeremy Corbyn will become prime minister. The evidence for this is clear as the EU27 have just agreed to move to the next phase of talks. The talk of delay is just what whips say to try to scare MPs and what the newspapers say to make a story. |
| Meanwhile, the prime minister’s chief of staff, Gavin Barwell, provides a textbook example of trying to please everyone at once: | Meanwhile, the prime minister’s chief of staff, Gavin Barwell, provides a textbook example of trying to please everyone at once: |
| PM's chief of staff commenting on deal here https://t.co/J5qmCNsh5U | PM's chief of staff commenting on deal here https://t.co/J5qmCNsh5U |
| And here - this is how No 10 is trying to sell the deal to both sides of the public, as well as the two halves of the Tory party https://t.co/p7Lf4zNbls | And here - this is how No 10 is trying to sell the deal to both sides of the public, as well as the two halves of the Tory party https://t.co/p7Lf4zNbls |
| Speaking in her Maidenhead constituency, Theresa May told reporters: | Speaking in her Maidenhead constituency, Theresa May told reporters: |
| This is an important step on the road to delivering the smooth and orderly Brexit that people voted for in June of last year. The UK and the EU have shown what can be achieved by commitment and perseverance on both sides. | This is an important step on the road to delivering the smooth and orderly Brexit that people voted for in June of last year. The UK and the EU have shown what can be achieved by commitment and perseverance on both sides. |
| I am pleased that it has been agreed that we should make rapid progress on an implementation period, which will give certainty to businesses and to individuals. There is still more to do but we are well on the road to delivering a Brexit that will make Britain strong, prosperous and secure. | I am pleased that it has been agreed that we should make rapid progress on an implementation period, which will give certainty to businesses and to individuals. There is still more to do but we are well on the road to delivering a Brexit that will make Britain strong, prosperous and secure. |
| While the EU negotiating guidelines make clear that there will essentially be full membership for the two year transition period, up to 2021, including adherence to EU law and the four freedoms, May insisted this did not have the effect of pushing back the exit date. She said: | While the EU negotiating guidelines make clear that there will essentially be full membership for the two year transition period, up to 2021, including adherence to EU law and the four freedoms, May insisted this did not have the effect of pushing back the exit date. She said: |
| We will leave the European Union on the 29th of March 2019. | We will leave the European Union on the 29th of March 2019. |
| The prime minister said: | The prime minister said: |
| There’s still more to do, but we’re well on the road to achieving the Brexit that the UK voted for | There’s still more to do, but we’re well on the road to achieving the Brexit that the UK voted for |
| The prime minister has told reporters that phase two Brexit talks will start “straight away”, despite Jean-Claude Juncker saying they will commence in March next year. | The prime minister has told reporters that phase two Brexit talks will start “straight away”, despite Jean-Claude Juncker saying they will commence in March next year. |
| EU leaders have give the green light for Brexit negotiations to move to phase two, addressing Britain’s future relationship with the bloc. They ruled that sufficient progress had been made on the opening issues to go forward. | EU leaders have give the green light for Brexit negotiations to move to phase two, addressing Britain’s future relationship with the bloc. They ruled that sufficient progress had been made on the opening issues to go forward. |
| The European Council president, Donald Tusk, congratulated Theresa May but later warned that the second phase talks would be tougher. Tusk said it was “still realistic” to complete phase two Brexit talks by the October deadline but, in comments echoed by Angela Merkel, he told reporters that the next phase would be “more demanding, more challenging”. | The European Council president, Donald Tusk, congratulated Theresa May but later warned that the second phase talks would be tougher. Tusk said it was “still realistic” to complete phase two Brexit talks by the October deadline but, in comments echoed by Angela Merkel, he told reporters that the next phase would be “more demanding, more challenging”. |
| May called the decision “an important step on the road to delivering a smooth and orderly Brexit”. The Brexit secretary David Davis called it a milestone, declaring: “We are ready for the next stage.” | May called the decision “an important step on the road to delivering a smooth and orderly Brexit”. The Brexit secretary David Davis called it a milestone, declaring: “We are ready for the next stage.” |
| The European Commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, said that the “real negotiations” on the second phase would not begin until March next year. That is the date when the negotiation guidelines say that the framework for trade talks will be issued. | The European Commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, said that the “real negotiations” on the second phase would not begin until March next year. That is the date when the negotiation guidelines say that the framework for trade talks will be issued. |
| Five leading British business groups welcomed the news but warned that that jobs were at risk unless swift progress was made in the second phase. | Five leading British business groups welcomed the news but warned that that jobs were at risk unless swift progress was made in the second phase. |
| Tusk and Juncker are asked about Brexit again (they are taking question on a range of other issues as well). | Tusk and Juncker are asked about Brexit again (they are taking question on a range of other issues as well). |
| Tusk says: | Tusk says: |
| The second phase will I think be more challenging than the first phase. | The second phase will I think be more challenging than the first phase. |
| Juncker says the draft withdrawal agreement will be drawn up “in the course of the next weeks”. But he adds: | Juncker says the draft withdrawal agreement will be drawn up “in the course of the next weeks”. But he adds: |
| The real negotiations on the second phase will begin in March next year. I cannot say when they will conclude. | The real negotiations on the second phase will begin in March next year. I cannot say when they will conclude. |
| Earlier, Angela Merkel said that the decision to move on to phase two represented “quite significant progress”. | Earlier, Angela Merkel said that the decision to move on to phase two represented “quite significant progress”. |
| The German chancellor said: | The German chancellor said: |
| Phase two may now be ushered in, but obviously that is an even tougher piece of negotiation than we have had up to now. | Phase two may now be ushered in, but obviously that is an even tougher piece of negotiation than we have had up to now. |
| The good news is that all 27 member states so far have put in tremendous efforts, have stood together, and I am very optimistic that we will continue to go forward in quite the same spirit. | The good news is that all 27 member states so far have put in tremendous efforts, have stood together, and I am very optimistic that we will continue to go forward in quite the same spirit. |
| Emmanuel Macron, who appeared alongside Merkel at a joint press conference, said he “fully agreed” with the Chancellor’s comments, adding: | Emmanuel Macron, who appeared alongside Merkel at a joint press conference, said he “fully agreed” with the Chancellor’s comments, adding: |
| We managed to keep the unity of the 27, the integrity of the single market, compliant with our rules. | We managed to keep the unity of the 27, the integrity of the single market, compliant with our rules. |
| In the future we will do what it takes to do the same. | In the future we will do what it takes to do the same. |
| Another quote from Tusk from the press conference in Brussels: | Another quote from Tusk from the press conference in Brussels: |
| At a Brussels press conference, he said: | At a Brussels press conference, he said: |
| As for the framework for future relations, it is now time for internal EU27 preparations and exploratory contacts with the UK to get more clarity on their vision. | As for the framework for future relations, it is now time for internal EU27 preparations and exploratory contacts with the UK to get more clarity on their vision. |
| On that basis, we should adopt guidelines and start negotiations next year. | On that basis, we should adopt guidelines and start negotiations next year. |
| I trust that the unity on the EU side will continue. | I trust that the unity on the EU side will continue. |
| Jean-Claude Juncker essentially echoed Tusk’s comments. | Jean-Claude Juncker essentially echoed Tusk’s comments. |
| He also praised Juri Ratas, the prime minister of Estonia, which currently holds the presidency of the European Union, for maintaining unity in the face of those who he said sought to impose division. | He also praised Juri Ratas, the prime minister of Estonia, which currently holds the presidency of the European Union, for maintaining unity in the face of those who he said sought to impose division. |
| Theresa May was "she was tough, smart, polite and friendly negotiator" says Jean-Claude Juncker. He jokes that he made her come to Brussels 6am London time last Friday as a "sanction" in negotiations | Theresa May was "she was tough, smart, polite and friendly negotiator" says Jean-Claude Juncker. He jokes that he made her come to Brussels 6am London time last Friday as a "sanction" in negotiations |
| The Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker press conference has begun. | The Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker press conference has begun. |
| The European Council president is up first. | The European Council president is up first. |
| Tusk says: | Tusk says: |
| Opening the second phase of negotiations wouldn’t be possible with the unity of the EU27, the hard work of [EU chief negotiator] Michele Barnier and the constructive effort of Theresa May. | Opening the second phase of negotiations wouldn’t be possible with the unity of the EU27, the hard work of [EU chief negotiator] Michele Barnier and the constructive effort of Theresa May. |
| He calls for the unity to be maintained and for “more clarity on their [the UK’s] vision” | He calls for the unity to be maintained and for “more clarity on their [the UK’s] vision” |
| Well-placed MEPs have told the Guardian that despite the drama that has accompanied the first phase of Brexit negotiations, there is an air of inevitability to the way talks are playing out. | Well-placed MEPs have told the Guardian that despite the drama that has accompanied the first phase of Brexit negotiations, there is an air of inevitability to the way talks are playing out. |
| Greek MEP Giorgos Kyrtsos, an avid Brexit watcher who sits on the European Parliament’s economic and monetary affairs committee, said: | Greek MEP Giorgos Kyrtsos, an avid Brexit watcher who sits on the European Parliament’s economic and monetary affairs committee, said: |
| Every party, playing to electorates at home, wants to dramatise the situation. The French want to be seen as a dominant player, the Germans want to be regarded practical, given the lack of government in Berlin but the truth is the EU is not being as tough as it said it would be and Mrs May has survived the ordeal. There is an inevitability to what we are seeing. | Every party, playing to electorates at home, wants to dramatise the situation. The French want to be seen as a dominant player, the Germans want to be regarded practical, given the lack of government in Berlin but the truth is the EU is not being as tough as it said it would be and Mrs May has survived the ordeal. There is an inevitability to what we are seeing. |
| Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron are giving a press conference. | Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron are giving a press conference. |
| The German chancellor said phase two negotiations on Brexit will be an “even tougher piece of negotiations”. | The German chancellor said phase two negotiations on Brexit will be an “even tougher piece of negotiations”. |
| She praised the “unity” of the 27 member states as did Macron. | She praised the “unity” of the 27 member states as did Macron. |
| He said: | He said: |
| We managed to keep the integrity of the single market and compliance with our rules. | We managed to keep the integrity of the single market and compliance with our rules. |