Reports are emerging this morning that are stating that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be blocked from getting a short extension to the British transition period. Whist in this period Britain remains under the European Union’s rules and inside its single market and customs union. EU diplomats and officials are expecting the Prime Minister to ask for a delay, but currently Downing Street is maintaining a resolute standpoint in its bid to complete Brexit by December 31.
This morning the Express are reporting that Brussels sources have ruled out renegotiating a “Flextension” that would allow for just an extra few weeks of the transition period. These sources are saying that such an arrangement would require a new treaty. The source says, “It’s not theoretically impossible, but you need a legal basis and in the absence of the Withdrawal Agreement you will need a vehicle which requires a new treaty – and that’s a landmine”.
Others are arguing that some of the cash-stricken member states inside the EU will use the potential extension to extort fresh cash out of the UK as the price for a delay. In addition to this up to 30 national and regional parliaments would need to consent to a delay and many of them are currently shut down as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic.
David Frost who is Britain’s lead negotiator has reopened negotiations with Michel Barnier’s deputy, Clara Martinez Alberola this week. More high-level talks will be held with the EU’s chief negotiator on Wednesday of this week in the hope of establishing a timetable for future negotiations. A European Commission spokesman has said: “Michel Barnier will speak with David Frost next week to agree a calendar for the next steps in order to move the negotiations forward, taking into account the coronavirus outbreak”. Next week could be huge in the Brexit talks.
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Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
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