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| EU chief Donald Tusk says 'most difficult' Brexit issues remain unresolved – Politics live | EU chief Donald Tusk says 'most difficult' Brexit issues remain unresolved – Politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Ipsos MORI has published its June 2018 Political Monitor (pdf) today, with a stack of interesting polling, particularly on satisfaction with party leaders. | |
| But there is also some Brexit polling, and these figures are striking. They suggest that confidence that Theresa May will get a good deal is at its lowest since article 50 was triggered. Those not confident that May will get a good deal outnumber those who are confident about it by more than two to one. | |
| The Tusk/Juncker/Borissov press conference is now over. There were no questions about Brexit, and only a brief mention of it in the opening statements, from Tusk. (See 2.09pm.) | |
| Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, has also been holding a press conference. Here are some of the highlights. The tweets are from the Economist’s Tom Nuttall and the BBC’s Katya Adler. | |
| Merkel: Juncker now has a mandate from the EU to talk trade with Trump in Washington. "We'll do everything we can to prevent a trade war" | |
| Merkel: on migration, the result was "important step in the right direction, but obviously not the end of the road." | |
| Merkel keen to emphasise what has been achieved on migration since 2014. Says migrant arrivals down by 95% | |
| Merkel emphasises that all NGO vessels operating in the Med must abide by international law: a key demand for Italy that attracts a lot of sympathy from EU officials. | |
| Merkel emphasised importance on EU-Turkey migrant deal , also says need to support Morocco to stop flow of migrants to Spain | |
| Regarding processing centres outside EU - Merkel says ONLY in co-operation with UNHCR and African countries | |
| On migrant processing centres inside EU Merkel emphasised these are voluntary as central and Eastern Europe refuses to take part | |
| Need new partnership with Africa -says Merkel- to increase investment and education etc - They also need means to stop illegal people smuggling | |
| Merkel says FRONTEX - EU border forces need to be beefed up | |
| Merkel says secondary migration - when asylum seekers move from the country they arrive in to an EU country of choice - threatens Schengen | |
| Merkel says Spain and Greece have agreed to take back migrabtvfrom Germany who were originally processed by their authorities | |
| Merkel: Germany reached agreements with a number of neighbouring countries to expedite returns under Dublin. Interior ministers must now conclude administrative deals. | |
| Merkel says German asylum law should be changed to allow the speedier return of migrants who have no right to stay | |
| Merkel: Italy has entered no obligation to host "controlled centres". | |
| Merkel says Germany took migrants from Greece and Italy - helping those countries - now Germsny asking for help to prevent “illegal secondary migration” | |
| Asked if Seehofer will be satisfied, Merkel says: our European partners acknowledge the tense situation in Germany, it spurs them to a more comprehensive approach. Perhaps it wouldn't have been so speedy otherwise. | |
| Merkel offers to send German border police to help EU countries with external borders, mentions Slovenia and Bulgaria. | |
| Merkel admits she’s received no agreement from Italy to take back migrants who first registered in Italy She says: Italy preoccupied with primary migration right now | |
| Merkel on Brexit: "we have no real solution for the Irish border" yet. | |
| A tired-but-relieved-looking Angela Merkel gives her final #EUCO press conference pic.twitter.com/8dsBsPRgB6 | |
| Asked about relations with President Trump, Juncker says he is going to Washington soon. He mentions his “friend Donald”. But he says he does not like Trump’s attempts to divide Europe. | |
| There is fresh evidence of that in the Washington Post today. | |
| This is quite extraordinary (via @dmarusic) https://t.co/8iivlzbjPu pic.twitter.com/r4XnGpWHw3 | |
| Tusk says he does not want to “spoil the good atmosphere” by saying any more. | |
| The opening statements are over. Tusk, Juncker and Boyko Borissov, the Bulgarian prime minister (who is also on the panel - the Bulgarians have the presidency of the EU) are now taking questions. | The opening statements are over. Tusk, Juncker and Boyko Borissov, the Bulgarian prime minister (who is also on the panel - the Bulgarians have the presidency of the EU) are now taking questions. |
| The first question is about the achievements of the Bulgarian presidency. Juncker says what was good about them was that they accepted the commission’s proposals. | The first question is about the achievements of the Bulgarian presidency. Juncker says what was good about them was that they accepted the commission’s proposals. |
| Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European commission, is speaking now. | Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European commission, is speaking now. |
| He starts by praising the job done by the Bulgarian presidency. | He starts by praising the job done by the Bulgarian presidency. |
| Tusk now talks about what was agreed this morning. | Tusk now talks about what was agreed this morning. |
| There was an agreement on banking and on the stability fund, he says. | There was an agreement on banking and on the stability fund, he says. |
| On Brexit, he says the EU 27 have taken note of what has been achieved so far. | On Brexit, he says the EU 27 have taken note of what has been achieved so far. |
| However, there is a great deal of work ahead and the most difficult tasks are still unresolved. | However, there is a great deal of work ahead and the most difficult tasks are still unresolved. |
| He says “quick progress” is needed in order to reach a deal by the time of the October summit. | He says “quick progress” is needed in order to reach a deal by the time of the October summit. |
| This is the last call to lay the cards on the table. | This is the last call to lay the cards on the table. |
| "We need quick progress" on #Brexit @eucopresident says https://t.co/T4ck1V5MXp #eusummit pic.twitter.com/2nhJrRjhCz | "We need quick progress" on #Brexit @eucopresident says https://t.co/T4ck1V5MXp #eusummit pic.twitter.com/2nhJrRjhCz |
| We are now getting the final end-of-summit press conference. | We are now getting the final end-of-summit press conference. |
| Donald Tusk, the European council president, starts. | Donald Tusk, the European council president, starts. |
| He says, on migration, it is too “far too early to talk about a success”. | He says, on migration, it is too “far too early to talk about a success”. |
| He summarises the proposals that were agreed. (See 7.12pm.) | He summarises the proposals that were agreed. (See 7.12pm.) |
| Lord Bridges, the remain voter who was a Brexit minister until he resigned after the general election, has written an open letter to cabinet ministers in the Evening Standard urging them to unite behind a softish Brexit that would effectively seek the UK in the single market for goods. Here is an excerpt. | Lord Bridges, the remain voter who was a Brexit minister until he resigned after the general election, has written an open letter to cabinet ministers in the Evening Standard urging them to unite behind a softish Brexit that would effectively seek the UK in the single market for goods. Here is an excerpt. |
| In essence we should remain close to the EU on goods and agriculture but have independence to forge our destiny on services — which are 80 per cent of the economy. | In essence we should remain close to the EU on goods and agriculture but have independence to forge our destiny on services — which are 80 per cent of the economy. |
| I suggest you commit the UK to remaining completely aligned to EU regulations and standards covering goods and (note) agricultural products. This — together with zero tariffs and trusted trade schemes (to deal with rules of origin) — would help minimise friction in trade. And, by covering agricultural products, you would help address the issue of the Irish border. | I suggest you commit the UK to remaining completely aligned to EU regulations and standards covering goods and (note) agricultural products. This — together with zero tariffs and trusted trade schemes (to deal with rules of origin) — would help minimise friction in trade. And, by covering agricultural products, you would help address the issue of the Irish border. |
| Pledge to remain convergent on data- sharing, and recognise legal contracts and professional qualifications. Where appropriate, seek to remain party to EU agencies that underpin critical areas related to security, trade and infrastructure — such as pharmaceuticals and aviation. If necessary, remain under the European court of justice’s jurisdiction. | Pledge to remain convergent on data- sharing, and recognise legal contracts and professional qualifications. Where appropriate, seek to remain party to EU agencies that underpin critical areas related to security, trade and infrastructure — such as pharmaceuticals and aviation. If necessary, remain under the European court of justice’s jurisdiction. |
| At the summit EU leaders agreed to open membership talks with Macedonia and Albania by the end of 2019, if both Balkan aspirants show enough progress in judicial and anti-corruption reforms, Reuters reports. In a summit statement on Friday, EU leaders said they endorsed an agreement on Tuesday among the bloc’s Europe ministers to review Albania and Macedonia’s progress in June 2019 and open talks at a conference by the end of next year. While there was no debate on the issue by leaders at their two-day summit in Brussels, the statement serves to cement a compromise among EU governments to keep alive the EU membership hopes of the Western Balkan countries but seek further reforms before talks can formally start. | At the summit EU leaders agreed to open membership talks with Macedonia and Albania by the end of 2019, if both Balkan aspirants show enough progress in judicial and anti-corruption reforms, Reuters reports. In a summit statement on Friday, EU leaders said they endorsed an agreement on Tuesday among the bloc’s Europe ministers to review Albania and Macedonia’s progress in June 2019 and open talks at a conference by the end of next year. While there was no debate on the issue by leaders at their two-day summit in Brussels, the statement serves to cement a compromise among EU governments to keep alive the EU membership hopes of the Western Balkan countries but seek further reforms before talks can formally start. |
| The Maltese prime minister Joseph Muscat told journalists that EU’s conclusions on Brexit (see 11.58am) were agreed in just one minute, showing EU leaders “can still work together”, despite the lengthy row over migration. | The Maltese prime minister Joseph Muscat told journalists that EU’s conclusions on Brexit (see 11.58am) were agreed in just one minute, showing EU leaders “can still work together”, despite the lengthy row over migration. |
| This morning was, to my knowledge, the first time the actor Danny Dyer received a mention at the regular No 10 briefing. Theresa May’s spokeswoman was asked if the PM agrees with his characterisation of Brexit, on ITV last night, as a “mad riddle” understood by no one. May does not, we were told. | This morning was, to my knowledge, the first time the actor Danny Dyer received a mention at the regular No 10 briefing. Theresa May’s spokeswoman was asked if the PM agrees with his characterisation of Brexit, on ITV last night, as a “mad riddle” understood by no one. May does not, we were told. |
| It was also probably the first lobby briefing where it was asked whether May believes David Cameron is “a twat” - Dyer’s vehement view on the former prime minister. | It was also probably the first lobby briefing where it was asked whether May believes David Cameron is “a twat” - Dyer’s vehement view on the former prime minister. |
| “I presume that’s not sentiments the prime minister shares?” came the question. The response: “She hasn’t seen it and so I haven’t asked her about it.” | “I presume that’s not sentiments the prime minister shares?” came the question. The response: “She hasn’t seen it and so I haven’t asked her about it.” |
| Danny Dyer on Brexit. pic.twitter.com/lxf8pEDlC6 | Danny Dyer on Brexit. pic.twitter.com/lxf8pEDlC6 |
| Here’s a dose of reality from Emma Bonino, the former foreign minister and Italian senator, who is one of few voices in Italy who speaks in support of migrants. | Here’s a dose of reality from Emma Bonino, the former foreign minister and Italian senator, who is one of few voices in Italy who speaks in support of migrants. |
| Speaking to the Guardian by phone as she flipped through the pages of the Brussels migration agreement (pdf), Bonino sighed several times and said the so-called deal left one of the biggest questions unanswered: namely how NGOs might continue to operate in the Mediterranean. | Speaking to the Guardian by phone as she flipped through the pages of the Brussels migration agreement (pdf), Bonino sighed several times and said the so-called deal left one of the biggest questions unanswered: namely how NGOs might continue to operate in the Mediterranean. |
| “I have the text in front of me. I don’t understand what they mean, frankly speaking,” she told the Guardian. | “I have the text in front of me. I don’t understand what they mean, frankly speaking,” she told the Guardian. |
| The only sections of the agreement that mention rescues at sea only vaguely say that EU partners will stand by Italy. It also states that vessels should not interfere with the Libyan coastguard, whose treatment of migrants has widely been reported to violate human rights rules. | The only sections of the agreement that mention rescues at sea only vaguely say that EU partners will stand by Italy. It also states that vessels should not interfere with the Libyan coastguard, whose treatment of migrants has widely been reported to violate human rights rules. |
| Labour veteran Tony Lloyd, now shadow Northern Ireland secretary, has welcomed the decision to reconvene the British Irish intergovernmental conference on 25 July. (See 8.53am.) | Labour veteran Tony Lloyd, now shadow Northern Ireland secretary, has welcomed the decision to reconvene the British Irish intergovernmental conference on 25 July. (See 8.53am.) |
| However while Brexit may come up at the talks, the institution is a legacy of the Good Friday agreement, and it is more likely to focus on the need to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland. Lloyd said: | However while Brexit may come up at the talks, the institution is a legacy of the Good Friday agreement, and it is more likely to focus on the need to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland. Lloyd said: |
| Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called for this in a recent speech at Queen’s University Belfast, as have I during multiple engagements with the secretary of state for Northern Ireland. | Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called for this in a recent speech at Queen’s University Belfast, as have I during multiple engagements with the secretary of state for Northern Ireland. |
| This highlights the growing need for the secretary of state to bring together all Northern Ireland political parties to negotiate a return to devolved government. It is simply not good enough to wait until the autumn. Northern Ireland deserves leadership not Tory inaction. | This highlights the growing need for the secretary of state to bring together all Northern Ireland political parties to negotiate a return to devolved government. It is simply not good enough to wait until the autumn. Northern Ireland deserves leadership not Tory inaction. |
| Jeremy Corbyn is using one of his periodic day trips to Scotland to boost Labour’s effort to capitalise on increasing strains and pressures in the health service, by claiming the NHS as a Labour creation. | Jeremy Corbyn is using one of his periodic day trips to Scotland to boost Labour’s effort to capitalise on increasing strains and pressures in the health service, by claiming the NHS as a Labour creation. |
| Labour’s support in Scotland has been slipping in recent polls back down to as low as 22%, down some six points from its recent high last December, and Scottish Labour is hoping to leverage this year’s 70th anniversary of the foundation of the NHS into greater public support. | Labour’s support in Scotland has been slipping in recent polls back down to as low as 22%, down some six points from its recent high last December, and Scottish Labour is hoping to leverage this year’s 70th anniversary of the foundation of the NHS into greater public support. |
| Corbyn is due to visit St John’s hospital in Livingston with local MSP Neil Findlay, where the local health board controversially closed down a children’s ward last year. In an advance text, he promoted Labour plans to boost public spending by £3bn in Scotland if it wins a UK general election. | Corbyn is due to visit St John’s hospital in Livingston with local MSP Neil Findlay, where the local health board controversially closed down a children’s ward last year. In an advance text, he promoted Labour plans to boost public spending by £3bn in Scotland if it wins a UK general election. |
| “The NHS is Labour’s proudest achievement. NHS values - everybody looking after everybody else - are Labour values,” he is due to say. | “The NHS is Labour’s proudest achievement. NHS values - everybody looking after everybody else - are Labour values,” he is due to say. |
| A series of polls putting them trailing the Tories has alarmed Labour strategists. It suggests the modest Corbyn bounce last year was shortlived, so converting public dissatisfaction with the NHS is a key strategic priority. “We want to own the NHS,” said one official. | A series of polls putting them trailing the Tories has alarmed Labour strategists. It suggests the modest Corbyn bounce last year was shortlived, so converting public dissatisfaction with the NHS is a key strategic priority. “We want to own the NHS,” said one official. |
| Nicola Sturgeon made that task somewhat harder by appointing Jeane Freeman, a former Labour special adviser, as her new health secretary this week. Tough and experienced, Freeman is likely to prove a stronger opponent for Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour’s health spokesman, than her predecessor Shona Robison. | Nicola Sturgeon made that task somewhat harder by appointing Jeane Freeman, a former Labour special adviser, as her new health secretary this week. Tough and experienced, Freeman is likely to prove a stronger opponent for Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour’s health spokesman, than her predecessor Shona Robison. |