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UK BREXIT SECRETARY Stephen Barclay is holding key talks with the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier today as the chance of a breakthrough on securing a withdrawal deal appear somewhat more likely.
The Brussels meeting comes in the wake of discussions between Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Prime Minister Boris Johnson after which both leaders declared they could “see a pathway” to a possible agreement.
Barclay’s talks look likely to give the clearest indication of whether there has been a significant thawing of relations between London and the EU after a week of abrupt exchanges.
Such a move could lead to the start of so-called intensive “tunnel” negotiations in the coming days ahead of the crunch EU heads of government summit on 17 and 18 October.
The unexpectedly cordial atmosphere of the meeting between the two leaders led to speculation of a possible compromise on the contentious issue of the Northern Ireland border backstop.
When asked about the state-of-play this morning, Varadkar said: “I think at this stage probable the less said the better.”
He said the focus today very much switches to Brussels where Barclay is meeting Barnier.
“I’d anticipate that will lead to some more detailed proposals being laid down and then the possibility for talks to enter the proverbial tunnel,” he said.
Sterling rose sharply on international money markets in the wake of the talks.
After more than two hours of “detailed and constructive” discussions at a country manor on the Wirral yesterday, the two leaders said it was in “everybody’s interest” to get an agreement which would allow the UK to leave with a deal.
Varadkar said he hoped the progress they had made would be “sufficient” to enable intensive negotiations to resume in Brussels ahead of next week’s crucial EU summit.
“I think it is possible for us to come to an agreement, to have a treaty to allow the UK to leave the EU in an orderly fashion, and to have that done by the end of October, but there’s many a slip between cup and lip,” he said.
In terms of how long it will take, I can’t predict that with any certainty, but I think all sides would like there to be an agreement next week at the council if possible.
“Obviously there’s a further deadline after that which is 31 of October, so I would say a short pathway rather than a long one, but it’s impossible to predict that for sure.
I think it’s possible for us to come to an agreement.
Varadkar refused to be drawn on any “concessions” made by either side, while UK Government sources refused to be drawn on media reports here suggesting “significant movement” by the UK.
Tory former chancellor and arch-Brexiteer Lord Norman Lamont said he wanted to know what any UK concessions were.
He told the BBC: “No, I am not worried. I have to know what the concessions are.
“It does look as though there is a change of mood.”
He added: “Maybe there is some change on the mechanism whereby the deal is approved by the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive.
“Maybe there will be an opting-out mechanism rather than an opting-in mechanism.”
Without a deal, Johnson will face demands from opposition parties to comply with the so-called Benn Act which would require him to request a three month Brexit delay if there is no agreement by 19 October.
The PM has said while he will abide by the law, he is determined to leave on the Halloween deadline of 31 October come what may.
- With reporting by Michelle Hennessy.
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What could they have possibly come up with at the 11th hour that no one thought of before. My guess is that it will be Mays deal but with new language and the DUPs are the fall guys as they will have to try to convince the media it’s a different deal. They also need to convince their electorate that it’s a new deal because they want happy campers post Brexit and to be able to say they saved their precious union.
@Paul Furey: Boris’s paper has adopted a long awaited change of tone – interesting … looks like the Boris bus is on the way
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/10/10/northern-ireland-burden-rest-uk-cant-let-get-way-brexit/
Boris was always planning a deal. It was noted in Sept by senior Tories Johnson had said he’d have no problem throwing the DUP under the bus. For that, first he needed to lose the majority, go for the no deal and flush out the patriots from the Tories, Gets rid and the majority’s gone and with that the DUP became meaningless. The blame game and erratic nonsense since wasnt for the EU’s benefit, the ridiculous offer was for Arlene Foster so she’d row in behind and lose public support in NI-job done. Unlawful actions was to throw parliment up in arms and have them aghast so when he comes back with something similar to the red line May Deal that she wouldnt put to parliment, the Labour rebels and theTories set adrift will row in behind him and suddenly he has the majority again. I think the first vote he’ll win will be that deal and the DUP are thrown away. Its the only thing that makes sense the past number of weeks. Its actually genius when you think about it a s much as I hate to say it
@Daimhín De Naois: the Editorial in The Daily Telegraph today reflects exactly what the Tories think of Northern Ireland within the UK – a millstone! Terrible stuff.
@Daimhín De Naois: you’re giving the tories too much credit there.
….not sure the DUP see the bus coming…..
@Michael Murray: I’m sure the penny must be dropping – Boris’s newspaper, published this morning, is letting them know of the imminent arrival
Ireland and EU can and hopefully will drive a deal through . EU the ones always using Ireland as a stick to beat UK. Varadker needs to get a deal done that’s best for Ireland , not the EU. Junk the drunk and mister Barnier won’t be best pleases at Boris and Taoiseach making progress. EU don’t do democracy and will do all in their power to stop Brexit.
@Willy Mc Bride: poor UK been forced to leave and look for a deal oh wait there choice there lies.
Easiest deal ever , they need us more than we need them , we can get a great deal .
On the plus side, Johnson at least bothered to tuck his shirt in this time. He must mean business.
Good conversation about socks so
@Eugene Conroy: Haha a sock joke so original
That’s Ireland and ‘UK’ can and hopefully will ensure a deal…
@Willy Mc Bride: hey Willy where’s the bus .
How did the DUP ever think, could get a veto on the backdrop? These are big boys games, as they are about to find out!
I hope Varadkar didn’t flinch.
@JoyMonkey: When could FG ever say no to the Tory party???
Nothing like a good fudge?
Veradker should make a deal with Johnson for a free trade deal
@Alan Scott: Ah jesus come on, inform yourself.
He’s now even tying his bloody tie like Trump!
@Big Red: Boris gets Trump to tell Leo what to do and that is my fear… And Boris does what Trump tells him then???
It’s not just an Irish border but also an EU one as well???
@TamuMassif2019: In case you did not know Ireland is part of the EU – and quite happy to be a member according to latest polls. So if it would be an Irish border with a non EU country then you can call it both – Irish and EU border – no problem. What is exactly your question?
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