BRUSSELS (AFP) – Britain and the EU clashed on Tuesday (Aug 20) over Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s demand to scrap the Irish border backstop plan, as fears mount of a chaotic “no-deal” Brexit. London insisted there was “no prospect” of a Brexit deal unless the backstop was abandoned, after Brussels said Britain had still not come up with a workable alternative. Johnson wrote to EU Council President Donald Tusk on Monday to insist that Britain could not accept what he called the “anti-democratic” backstop, a mechanism to avoid border checks between EU-member Ireland and British-ruled Northern Ireland. Since taking office last month, Johnson has been adamant Britain will leave the European Union on Oct 31 come what may and has stepped up preparations for a “no deal” departure that would cause major economic disruption. But the European Commission, the EU executive which has led Brexit negotiations with London, dismissed the … [Read more...] about EU, Britain clash over Boris Johnson’s Brexit backstop demand
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EU, Britain clash over Johnson’s Brexit backstop demand
BRUSSELS: Britain and the EU clashed Tuesday over Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s demand to scrap the Irish border backstop plan, as fears mount of a chaotic “no-deal” Brexit. London insisted there was “no prospect” of a Brexit deal unless the backstop was abandoned, after Brussels said Britain had still not come up with a workable alternative. Johnson wrote to EU Council President Donald Tusk on Monday to insist that Britain could not accept what he called the “anti-democratic” backstop, a mechanism to avoid border checks between EU-member Ireland and Northern Ireland, part of the UK. Since taking office last month, Johnson has been adamant Britain will leave the European Union on October 31 come what may and has stepped up preparations for a “no deal” departure that would cause major economic disruption. But the European Commission, the EU executive which has led Brexit negotiations with London, dismissed the proposal in … [Read more...] about EU, Britain clash over Johnson’s Brexit backstop demand
Johnson tells EU he wants Brexit deal but without backstop
LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote Monday to EU President Donald Tusk reaffirming his desire to conclude a Brexit deal as well as his opposition to the controversial “backstop” on Ireland. The so-called backstop is a mechanism that would keep the UK in EU customs arrangements to prevent a hard border between the British province of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, an EU member state. In the letter Johnson stressed that his government wanted to achieve a divorce deal with Brussels. “You have my personal commitment that this government will work with energy and determination to achieve an agreement. That is our highest priority,“ Johnson wrote. Brussels says the backstop is needed as a fallback option to preserve the integrity of European trade and avoid risking a return of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. The backstop was included in the accord reached with the European Union by former premier Theresa May, which was rejected … [Read more...] about Johnson tells EU he wants Brexit deal but without backstop
UK urges EU to reflect ‘political reality’ on Brexit
LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government has urged EU leaders again to drop their opposition to renegotiating the terms of Brexit, claiming recent European elections required a change of approach.Johnson, who took office late last month, says he wants to leave the European Union with a deal but insists the current terms are unacceptable and if necessary Britain will exit on Oct 31 with no agreement at all.In an article in the Mail on Sunday newspaper, Johnson's Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay said European Parliament elections in May had changed the political dynamic and urged EU leaders to amend the mandate of their chief negotiator, Michel Barnier."The political realities have changed since Mr Barnier's instructions were set," Barclay wrote."Since the last mandate was agreed, 61 percent of all the EU states' MEPs have changed. Such a fundamental shift illustrates the need for a change of approach."Mr Barnier needs to urge EU leaders to consider this if they … [Read more...] about UK urges EU to reflect ‘political reality’ on Brexit
UK’s Labour backs staying in EU in call for second referendum
LONDON: Britain’s main opposition Labour party on Tuesday for the first time conditionally backed holding another Brexit referendum, in which it would support remaining in the European Union. Labour will now challenge whoever wins the Conservative Party leadership race and becomes the next prime minister to put any deal they strike with the EU to a referendum, “with remain on the ballot, in which Labour would campaign for remain,“ the party said in a statement. The issue has deeply divided the party. Many of its supporters in working-class areas voted to leave the EU in the Brexit referendum of 2016. But the majority of Labour MPs strongly support remaining in the European bloc. Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, a veteran eurosceptic, had long resisted strong pressure to back another vote. But he relented after Labour-affiliated trade unions agreed on Monday to support the move. Labour will now back remaining in the EU over leaving without a deal or supporting a … [Read more...] about UK’s Labour backs staying in EU in call for second referendum