This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/oct/01/brexit-weekly-briefing-may-is-stuck-in-the-middle-at-tory-summit
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Brexit weekly briefing: May is stuck in the middle at Tory summit | Brexit weekly briefing: May is stuck in the middle at Tory summit |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| Welcome to the Guardian’s weekly Brexit briefing, bringing you the top stories of the past week in Brexitland arranged in a way that might – hopefully – allow you to make some sense of them. | Welcome to the Guardian’s weekly Brexit briefing, bringing you the top stories of the past week in Brexitland arranged in a way that might – hopefully – allow you to make some sense of them. |
| Talking of making sense of Brexit, this might help too – Brexit: the final deal, a Guardian Live event on 11 October featuring Alison McGovern, the Labour MP for Wirral South; Anand Menon, the director of UK in a Changing Europe; and Henry Newman, of Open Europe, and chaired by Heather Stewart, the Guardian’s joint political editor. You can book tickets here. | Talking of making sense of Brexit, this might help too – Brexit: the final deal, a Guardian Live event on 11 October featuring Alison McGovern, the Labour MP for Wirral South; Anand Menon, the director of UK in a Changing Europe; and Henry Newman, of Open Europe, and chaired by Heather Stewart, the Guardian’s joint political editor. You can book tickets here. |
| Meanwhile, if you’d like to receive the briefing as a weekly email, please sign up here. And you can catch up with our Politics Weekly podcast right here. | Meanwhile, if you’d like to receive the briefing as a weekly email, please sign up here. And you can catch up with our Politics Weekly podcast right here. |
| Finally, producing the Guardian’s independent, in-depth journalism takes time and money. We do it because we believe our perspective matters and it may be yours, too. If you value our Brexit coverage, please become a Guardian supporter. Thank you. | Finally, producing the Guardian’s independent, in-depth journalism takes time and money. We do it because we believe our perspective matters and it may be yours, too. If you value our Brexit coverage, please become a Guardian supporter. Thank you. |
| Top stories | Top stories |
| All eyes on the Tory party conference, understandably, where Brexiters are lining up to bash Theresa May and her Chequers plan; remainers are doing likewise, but more politely; and ministers, on the whole, are backing her and trashing the EU instead. | All eyes on the Tory party conference, understandably, where Brexiters are lining up to bash Theresa May and her Chequers plan; remainers are doing likewise, but more politely; and ministers, on the whole, are backing her and trashing the EU instead. |
| The PM’s problem, of course, is she’s stuck in the middle. To the right, the likes of Boris Johnson (who called her idea “deranged” and “preposterous”), Jacob Rees-Mogg (who went with “the deadest of dying ducks”), and Steve Baker (who blamed everything on the CBI, “a grave menace … to the UK”). | The PM’s problem, of course, is she’s stuck in the middle. To the right, the likes of Boris Johnson (who called her idea “deranged” and “preposterous”), Jacob Rees-Mogg (who went with “the deadest of dying ducks”), and Steve Baker (who blamed everything on the CBI, “a grave menace … to the UK”). |
| To the left, pro-Europeans like Dominic Grieve are calling for “a polite rebellion” to secure a second referendum. And up ahead are the EU27, who have said firmly and frequently that the key Chequers trade proposals will not fly and are consequently stepping up their plans for a no-deal Brexit. | |
| On the upside for May, ministers rubbished Johnson’s call – and, indeed, Johnson himself – for a “Super Canada” deal which would see the UK renege on its Brexit pledges, including over the Irish border. The chancellor, Philip Hammond, noted the former foreign secretary’s proposal was simply “not available”. | On the upside for May, ministers rubbished Johnson’s call – and, indeed, Johnson himself – for a “Super Canada” deal which would see the UK renege on its Brexit pledges, including over the Irish border. The chancellor, Philip Hammond, noted the former foreign secretary’s proposal was simply “not available”. |
| On the downside, Toyota said a no-deal Brexit “could halt production” at its UK plants for “hours, days, weeks – even months”. Plus, the Brexit secretary, Dominic Raab, called helpfully on the EU to “get serious” and respond to the UK’s “constructive and respectful” approach. | On the downside, Toyota said a no-deal Brexit “could halt production” at its UK plants for “hours, days, weeks – even months”. Plus, the Brexit secretary, Dominic Raab, called helpfully on the EU to “get serious” and respond to the UK’s “constructive and respectful” approach. |
| And then the foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, referenced Britain’s “Dunkirk spirit” and suggested Britain was being held “prisoner” by the EU, which he compared to the Soviet Union. This is playing to the conference gallery, of course – but at a critical time in the Brexit talks, it could easily backfire. | And then the foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, referenced Britain’s “Dunkirk spirit” and suggested Britain was being held “prisoner” by the EU, which he compared to the Soviet Union. This is playing to the conference gallery, of course – but at a critical time in the Brexit talks, it could easily backfire. |
| What next? | What next? |
| With just under six months till Brexit day, what might happen? First, May has keep both moderates and Brexiters happy at the Tory conference. If she can’t, the EU27 will know there’s no point even considering compromises because May doesn’t have the backing for Chequers at home. | With just under six months till Brexit day, what might happen? First, May has keep both moderates and Brexiters happy at the Tory conference. If she can’t, the EU27 will know there’s no point even considering compromises because May doesn’t have the backing for Chequers at home. |
| Plus, of course, her own future would be far from secure. If she can, she must get something like Chequers past the EU27, who see two big obstacles: the key trade components “won’t work”, as Donald Tusk said; and Northern Ireland will have (in effect) to stay in the customs union and single market to avoid a hard border. | Plus, of course, her own future would be far from secure. If she can, she must get something like Chequers past the EU27, who see two big obstacles: the key trade components “won’t work”, as Donald Tusk said; and Northern Ireland will have (in effect) to stay in the customs union and single market to avoid a hard border. |
| The EU is offering two ways out, neither of which look any good for the PM. A Norway-style deal would protect the UK economy and solve the Irish border issue – but trigger a leadership challenge. | The EU is offering two ways out, neither of which look any good for the PM. A Norway-style deal would protect the UK economy and solve the Irish border issue – but trigger a leadership challenge. |
| A Canada-style free trade deal would imply some trade barriers and a border in the Irish Sea, which May has said is unacceptable, and would be unlikely to get through parliament. What’s more, EU wants the Northern Ireland issue solved, or there’s no November summit to finalise any deal at all. | A Canada-style free trade deal would imply some trade barriers and a border in the Irish Sea, which May has said is unacceptable, and would be unlikely to get through parliament. What’s more, EU wants the Northern Ireland issue solved, or there’s no November summit to finalise any deal at all. |
| Then there’s parliament. The final deal, assuming there is one, will almost certainly have to include further major UK concessions, and potentially no real certainty on the future relationship. It could well be voted down – either by Labour and Brexiters, which would trigger a general election, or by pro-Europeans hoping to delay the process (but with no firm idea of what happens next). | Then there’s parliament. The final deal, assuming there is one, will almost certainly have to include further major UK concessions, and potentially no real certainty on the future relationship. It could well be voted down – either by Labour and Brexiters, which would trigger a general election, or by pro-Europeans hoping to delay the process (but with no firm idea of what happens next). |
| All clear? It’s not going to be a smooth ride. | All clear? It’s not going to be a smooth ride. |
| Best of the rest | Best of the rest |
| UK manufacturers cut spending plans as Brexit fears rise. | UK manufacturers cut spending plans as Brexit fears rise. |
| Brexit costing Britain £500m a week and rising, says report | Brexit costing Britain £500m a week and rising, says report |
| MPs could still alter successful Brexit deal, researchers find. | MPs could still alter successful Brexit deal, researchers find. |
| Plaid Cymru leader: no-deal Brexit could hasten Welsh independence. | Plaid Cymru leader: no-deal Brexit could hasten Welsh independence. |
| US groups raise millions to support rightwing UK thinktanks. | US groups raise millions to support rightwing UK thinktanks. |
| Food supplier proposes vegetarian dishes in case of no-deal Brexit. | Food supplier proposes vegetarian dishes in case of no-deal Brexit. |
| Weak investment for entire year as UK firms show pre-Brexit jitters. | Weak investment for entire year as UK firms show pre-Brexit jitters. |
| UK nationals would suffer under skills-based immigration, EU tells Javid. | UK nationals would suffer under skills-based immigration, EU tells Javid. |
| No-deal Brexit could trigger 14 days of road chaos, Highways England reveals. | No-deal Brexit could trigger 14 days of road chaos, Highways England reveals. |
| “Brexit fatigue” leaves British businesses unprepared for no deal. | “Brexit fatigue” leaves British businesses unprepared for no deal. |
| Corbyn talks with EU Brexit officials spark fresh no-deal fears. | Corbyn talks with EU Brexit officials spark fresh no-deal fears. |
| Brexiters failed to grasp significance of single market to EU, says Brussels chief. | Brexiters failed to grasp significance of single market to EU, says Brussels chief. |
| No-deal Brexit could result in Northern Ireland blackouts, leaks reveal. | No-deal Brexit could result in Northern Ireland blackouts, leaks reveal. |
| UK manufacturers cut spending plans as Brexit fears rise. | UK manufacturers cut spending plans as Brexit fears rise. |
| Brexit costing Britain £500m a week and rising, says report | Brexit costing Britain £500m a week and rising, says report |
| MPs could still alter successful Brexit deal, researchers find. | MPs could still alter successful Brexit deal, researchers find. |
| Plaid Cymru leader: no-deal Brexit could hasten Welsh independence. | Plaid Cymru leader: no-deal Brexit could hasten Welsh independence. |
| US groups raise millions to support rightwing UK thinktanks. | US groups raise millions to support rightwing UK thinktanks. |
| Food supplier proposes vegetarian dishes in case of no-deal Brexit. | Food supplier proposes vegetarian dishes in case of no-deal Brexit. |
| Weak investment for entire year as UK firms show pre-Brexit jitters. | Weak investment for entire year as UK firms show pre-Brexit jitters. |
| UK nationals would suffer under skills-based immigration, EU tells Javid. | UK nationals would suffer under skills-based immigration, EU tells Javid. |
| No-deal Brexit could trigger 14 days of road chaos, Highways England reveals. | No-deal Brexit could trigger 14 days of road chaos, Highways England reveals. |
| “Brexit fatigue” leaves British businesses unprepared for no deal. | “Brexit fatigue” leaves British businesses unprepared for no deal. |
| Corbyn talks with EU Brexit officials spark fresh no-deal fears. | Corbyn talks with EU Brexit officials spark fresh no-deal fears. |
| Brexiters failed to grasp significance of single market to EU, says Brussels chief. | Brexiters failed to grasp significance of single market to EU, says Brussels chief. |
| No-deal Brexit could result in Northern Ireland blackouts, leaks reveal. | No-deal Brexit could result in Northern Ireland blackouts, leaks reveal. |
| Top comment | Top comment |
| In the Guardian, Anand Menon of the UK in a Changing EU thinktank says what happened in at that calamitous Salzburg summit really wasn’t a big deal – the real Brexit battleground will be Westminster: | In the Guardian, Anand Menon of the UK in a Changing EU thinktank says what happened in at that calamitous Salzburg summit really wasn’t a big deal – the real Brexit battleground will be Westminster: |
| Whatever deal is agreed must be approved by the British parliament – and it’s interesting to note that the EU has been discussing plans to step up its no-deal arrangements partly because of a fear that the Commons will prove unable to approve any conceivable Brexit outcome … There’s all to play for, and not much at all is clear. But once attention shifts from Brussels to Westminster, the real Brexit endgame will begin. And we have no earthly clue how it will play out. | Whatever deal is agreed must be approved by the British parliament – and it’s interesting to note that the EU has been discussing plans to step up its no-deal arrangements partly because of a fear that the Commons will prove unable to approve any conceivable Brexit outcome … There’s all to play for, and not much at all is clear. But once attention shifts from Brussels to Westminster, the real Brexit endgame will begin. And we have no earthly clue how it will play out. |
| The Guardian’s editorial pulls no punches, arguing that following the demands of the most Eurosceptic fringe is not a strategy that has served any Tory leader well: | The Guardian’s editorial pulls no punches, arguing that following the demands of the most Eurosceptic fringe is not a strategy that has served any Tory leader well: |
| It is not too late for Mrs May to join the serious conversation and distance herself from the reckless and ruinous one. It is not too late for her to address the British public over the heads of her party’s anti-Brussels ultras, standing up to fanatics whose denial of diplomatic and economic reality is making Britain a pariah in Europe. Perhaps, in this last conference before Britain is due to leave the EU, Mrs May could address the European question not as it is imagined by many Conservatives, but as it truly affects the whole country. | It is not too late for Mrs May to join the serious conversation and distance herself from the reckless and ruinous one. It is not too late for her to address the British public over the heads of her party’s anti-Brussels ultras, standing up to fanatics whose denial of diplomatic and economic reality is making Britain a pariah in Europe. Perhaps, in this last conference before Britain is due to leave the EU, Mrs May could address the European question not as it is imagined by many Conservatives, but as it truly affects the whole country. |
| Tweet | Tweet |
| The PM being admirably open and up-front with us all about the Northern Irish border problem (h/t Jeremy Vine): | The PM being admirably open and up-front with us all about the Northern Irish border problem (h/t Jeremy Vine): |
| This exchange between @AndrewMarr9 and @theresa_may needs reading (via @MarrShow, @MichaelPDeacon) pic.twitter.com/oIa9H2rWRZ | This exchange between @AndrewMarr9 and @theresa_may needs reading (via @MarrShow, @MichaelPDeacon) pic.twitter.com/oIa9H2rWRZ |
| • This article was amended on 2 October 2018 because an earlier version referred to “pro-Europeans like Dominic Raab”. This has been corrected to Dominic Grieve. | |
| Politics | Politics |
| Brexit weekly briefing | Brexit weekly briefing |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on Google+ | Share on Google+ |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |