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'Have cake and eat it' - Photographed notes appear to show Brexit strategy

The UK Government has distanced itself from the notes.

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT has distanced itself from a memo outlining plans for Brexit spotted as a lawmaker left Downing Street, which included the aim to “have cake and eat it”.

“What’s the model? Have cake and eat it,” read the hand-written paper held by an aide accompanying Mark Field, a London MP for the ruling Conservative Party.

The notes were caught by a photographer as Field left the Department for Exiting the European Union – an office set up in the wake of Britain’s shock 23 June vote to leave the bloc.

The Brexit department would not detail the purpose of Field’s visit to Downing Street or who he had been meeting.

“These individual notes do not belong to a government official or a special adviser. They do not reflect the government’s position in relation to Brexit negotiations,” a government spokesperson told AFP.

The memo suggests Britain will fail to keep access to the European single market and will seek to keep the negotiations to two years, rejecting the idea of a lengthier transitional deal aimed at lessening the sudden impact of leaving the EU.

“Keep the two years. Won’t provide more detail. We think it’s unlikely we’ll be offered single market,” the notes read.

“Transitional – loathe to do it. Whitehall will hold onto it,” they say, referring to the view that pro-EU lawmakers in Britain would seek to make a transitional deal permanent.

More than five months after the referendum, Prime Minister Theresa May has refused to outline the government’s Brexit strategy.

The government’s promise to keep its playing cards close to its chest ahead of starting formal divorce proceedings with Brussels – which May has promised to do before the end of March – has also fuelled interest in any snippets of information out of Downing Street.

‘Very French negotiating team’

The notes photographed yesterday and published in British media go into brief detail on negotiating by sector, suggesting a deal on manufacturing will be “relatively straightforward”.

“Services harder – because French hoping for business,” is also written, while “French likely to be most difficult” appears further down the page.

Paris is just one of many European cities hoping to attract business away from the City of London financial hub, by promising access to the EU single market and free movement of workers.

The memo also mentions a “very French negotiating team”, in an apparent nod to the European Commission’s top Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, a former French minister.

“Canada Plus” is scrawled on the notepad, likely referring to the recent trade deal struck between Ottawa and Brussels, while the comment “no Norway” suggests London should not seek membership of the the tariff-free European Economic Area as part of its EU exit.

The notes will prove embarrassing for Downing Street, following a memo leaked earlier this month which claimed the government had no overarching plan for Brexit.

Civil servants are struggling to cope with more than 500 Brexit-related projects and an extra 30,000 extra staff may be needed to handle the workload, according to the memo, reportedly prepared for the government by a consultant.

May’s team denied the claims and said it did not commission the report.

© AFP 2016

Read: Enda Kenny says it’s impossible to negotiate Brexit within two years

Read: Far-right extremist Thomas Mair will die in jail after he’s handed life sentence for Jo Cox murder

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    Mute Mark Gerard Lochlain
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    Jun 27th 2015, 8:24 AM

    Awww such a pity!!!! I actually only saw the shop for the first time a few weeks back in Powerscourt and thought I’d bring my nieces there someday!!! It looked lovely all the best.

    326
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    Mute Tallaght two
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    Jun 27th 2015, 10:16 AM

    this is more a salient lesson on being careful where you move your business and unfortunately is not a good advert for powerscourt. hopefully they make a go off it online. the demand definitely exists it the location didn’t support them.

    94
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    Mute Mark Fran
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    Jul 5th 2016, 10:23 PM

    Life is all about good and bad experience
    Life is all about good and bad experience. It was all good and lovely when i met jully, she was a good business woman until things become rough for her and her business empire started liquidating. I was a very courageous and hardworking man so i decided to sell my inheritance to assist . We both struggle together and built the business world again. This time around the business was growing from strength to strength. I was surprise one Sunday evening when she came home with her secretary and told me that we cannot continue with this pretense called love. I was shocked and heart broken, i was in a friend, house for three weeks frustrated until i met fernando my old friend at the supermarket, he directed to me to Dr saka. I contacted saka and he told me that Jully was been manipulated by some spiritual power and he told me to provide some items which he is going to use to destroy the evil spirit. I never believe in voodoo but i had to give him a trial. To my greatest surprise, Jully called and started apologizing 2 days after i sent Dr. Saka the email. I am very happy and will continue to be happy for the good work the Saka has done in my life. Problems are been solved when good people like Saka are on this planet, please contact him through ultimatespearcast@gmail.com if you need any support in any problems in life. I love Dr Saka … :)

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    Mute Chauncey Gardiner
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    Jun 27th 2015, 8:39 AM

    Such a shame! You can’t cuddle a smartphone kids!

    249
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    Mute David McShite
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    Jun 27th 2015, 9:15 AM

    It’s so strange. We all read the most terrible of news stories every day, we are seldom surprised or shocked to any great extent as terrible things in the world have become the norm.
    But this little story just came in under the radar and made our inner child shed a tear.
    I hope they find a way to continue.

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    Mute Aaron Burns
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    Jun 27th 2015, 8:26 AM

    This is an awful shame, but I guess in this day and age people would just go out and buy a new doll/ teddy rather than get it repaired.

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    Mute Evelyn Hughes
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    Jun 27th 2015, 11:47 AM

    U can’t buy a new best friend

    46
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    Mute Anya
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    Jun 27th 2015, 9:08 AM

    Have had my teddy since I was born (am 28 now) and he was quite battered so I brought him here. They did a great job at fixing him and I’m eternally grateful, I’d have been devastated to lose my bear. Such a shame they have to close the doors :(

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    Mute Dave
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    Jun 27th 2015, 8:50 AM

    Had my 36 year old teddy fixed there so that my son could have it. They did a great job. Such a shame they’re closing, but that’s the way of the world now. Easier to throw away and buy a new one.

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    Mute Malvolio32
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    Jun 27th 2015, 8:47 AM

    You have to love that sign, wonder is it original, or based on something else?

    61
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    Mute Melissa Porter Nolan
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    Jun 27th 2015, 1:34 PM

    Yes it’s original, designed & made by James Hankey, Tallaght, Dublin. It’s stood the test of time. It was out doors for almost 30 years. I still love still.

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    Mute Bobby Connolly
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    Jul 6th 2015, 9:51 PM

    Melissa, Robert and Lu here. Just caught the article on the Journal about the shop closure. So sorry to hear that and we hope the online business goes really well for ye though I guess nothing makes up for the day to day involvement in the shop. Best wishes for the future.

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    Mute Mel Healy
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    Jun 27th 2015, 9:01 AM

    A sad end. Teddybear Varadker should be ashamed of himself.

    59
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    Mute Karen NíDhochartaigh
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    Jun 27th 2015, 9:21 AM

    devastated I only recently discovered the place and wanted to bring in my first ever teddy so I could then pass it to my little girl :’(

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    Mute Alan Lawlor
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    Jun 27th 2015, 10:10 AM

    Those damn HSE budget cuts are hitting everywhere

    44
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    Mute Malvolio32
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    Jun 27th 2015, 9:24 AM

    Am I the only one here who never remembers having a teddy bear, I had a little shovel I brought everywhere?

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    Mute Charlie Mountney
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    Jun 27th 2015, 9:39 AM

    So you didn’t forget your shovel Malvolio?

    33
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    Mute willow
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    Jun 27th 2015, 3:32 PM

    First Clerys and now The Dolls Hospital. Dublin is definitely changing and not for the best. Loved that Dolls hosp…..

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    Mute Alison Sutcliffe
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    Jun 27th 2015, 12:04 PM

    Such a huge part off Dublin history closing. Knowing the hospital was there for my teddies as a child growing up was a big thing for me and for my children now. We have visited the hospital and had teddies restored over the years. Such sad news to hear you are closing. like to thank you for all the care and love you gave to dolls and teddies that where each and every child’s pride and joy and much loved toys over the years.

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    Mute Maximus
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    Jun 27th 2015, 4:17 PM

    This is what should be on Grafton Street (rent free of course

    15
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    Mute SnowCailín
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    Jun 27th 2015, 2:26 PM

    Does any business do well on top floor of shopping centre. This one seems like it could be a really good online business – and could possibly attract custom from abroad. I really hope it tries online as a way to survive – it’s a national treasure for a few generations!

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    Mute Terri O'Gorman McCormick
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    Jun 27th 2015, 4:20 PM

    Where are the dollies and teddys gonna go now. So sad!! Just another little bit of magic gone!!!

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    Mute Melissa Porter Nolan
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    Jul 18th 2015, 11:24 AM

    They have all been packed up with lots of TLC & some sadness. I have kept the collection together in the hope someone or some place will have a suitable home to display them again once and for all. Melissa

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    Mute Ciaran De Bhal
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    Jun 27th 2015, 10:55 AM

    I can remember the shop in Mary St. No. 5 or 6 maybe? My Dad had a dancewear shop in No.3. I used to love going in to the dolls hospital on Saturdays.

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    Mute Wyon Stansfeld
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    Jun 27th 2015, 3:11 PM

    Very sorry to hear that Dublin can not even support one decent toy shop, all the best for the future Melissa

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Jun 27th 2015, 8:06 PM

    Loads of jobs are still going but no one says a word unless the government promises new jobs that are coming years down the road but never arrive…

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