Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

British Prime Minister May Seeks To Cut Deal On Future EU Ties In Brussels

British prime minister Theresa May met the EU's chief executive in Brussels on Wednesday (21) to discuss a blueprint for Britain's future ties, hoping to secure commitments that will appease rebels at home opposed to a Brexit draft treaty.

With just over four months before Britain leaves the bloc, May's meeting with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker aims to try to finalise an outline of future relations before a summit of EU leaders on Sunday (25).


The two leaders shook hands in front of TV cameras at the Commission's headquarters but declined to answer questions.

Outstanding issues include a Spanish threat to block the so-called political declaration over Gibraltar as well as problems from other states on fishing rights and future trade ties.

One EU diplomat said there was still "some work needed on those three aspects: fish, goods and Gibraltar ... Juncker and May will try to sort it out." A second EU diplomat said: "The only thing really outstanding is Gibraltar."

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez demanded assurances that the future of the disputed British territory of Gibraltar would be settled through direct talks with Madrid.

Many in Brussels thought Sanchez was trying to score points with voters at home before a December 2 local election in the southern Andalusia region. They said the issue could be solved by the leaders and warned Madrid not to put the whole Brexit agreement at risk.

The British and European parliaments must ratify a deal to end more than 40 years of partnership before Brexit day, or Britain could leave the EU with no treaty.

The publication last week of a draft exit treaty sparked the biggest crisis of May's premiership, with two cabinet ministers quitting and dozens of Conservative members of parliament calling on her to step down. They accuse May of making too many concessions to the EU, while others oppose Brexit altogether.

May hopes the blueprint on future relations, a political document of about 20 pages meant to be agreed side-by-side with the legally binding 600-page exit treaty will help win back enough support at home for her approach to pass in parliament.

Despite the political turmoil around her, May has shown no sign in public of any doubt that she can bring home a deal.

The draft treaty envisages Britain staying in a customs union with the bloc, which many Brexit supporters see as a compromise too far.

The EU is trying to discourage Britain from any renegotiation of the draft treaty, while also seeking to assuage concerns expressed by some of the remaining 27 member states. While unanimity among the 27 is not legally required to endorse the deal now, the bloc seeks a unified stance.

No Renegotiation

"We are following the latest developments with growing concern," said a second EU diplomat. "No one wants to reopen the withdrawal agreement."

Both sides have also been advancing contingency plans for the worst case scenario, Britain crashing out of the EU without an agreement.

Diplomats in Brussels said Britain was also seeking an easy flow of goods after Brexit, a position which was too close to the privileges allowed only for countries that sign up to EU single market rules, including free flow of people and services.

"The UK wants free movement of goods, which they won't get because that's back to discussing partial access to the single market, which we don't do," another diplomat said.

In addition, France has called for more guarantees on future access to Britain's fishing waters, which London wants to keep firmly under its control after Brexit.

EU states with pending issues are seeking to address them either through the blueprint of post-Brexit EU-UK ties or through separate EU statements. France has backed such extra declarations, while Germany opposed them, saying the focus should be on completing the blueprint.

EU envoys will meet on Thursday (29) morning to discuss the outline of future ties. Negotiators will then look at it again at a meeting set for Friday (30).

Reuters

More For You

‘All options on the table’ as Britain
prepares for likelihood of US tariffs

Sir Keir Starmer with Jonathan Reynolds

‘All options on the table’ as Britain prepares for likelihood of US tariffs

BRITAIN is likely to be hit by US tariffs despite making “rapid progress” over a trade deal with Washington, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Tuesday (1).

He spoke as US trading partners around the world braced for an expected fresh raft of tariffs from president Donald Trump, in addition to levies already imposed on steel and those set to take effect this week on cars.

Keep ReadingShow less
single-use vapes-iStock

Analysis by Material Focus estimates that 8.2 million vapes are discarded or littered each week in the UK—equivalent to 13 every second. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Shops told to clear single-use vapes before ban starts on June 1

SHOPS across the UK have until 1 June 2025 to sell off remaining stocks of single-use vapes before a nationwide ban comes into force.

The legislation, confirmed last year, follows a government consultation that showed strong support for restricting their sale and supply.

Keep ReadingShow less
Primark-London-Getty

During his 15-year tenure, Marchant expanded Primark’s store network to more than 450 locations across 17 countries in Europe and the United States. (Photo: Reuters)

Primark chief Paul Marchant steps down after misconduct probe

PAUL MARCHANT, the head of fashion retailer Primark, has resigned with immediate effect after admitting to an "error of judgment" in his behaviour towards a woman in a social setting.

Associated British Foods (AB Foods), Primark's parent company, announced his resignation on Monday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jaguar’s bold gamble: Can it woo young, wealthy drivers with a £123k EV?

Jaguar’s bold gamble: Can it woo young, wealthy drivers with a £123k EV?

JAGUAR’S ambition to seduce younger, richer drivers was on full display in Paris with a presentation of its newest prototype, the Type 00, which promises all-electric luxury... at a steep price.

The low-slung, muscular-looking concept car presented to European reporters last Friday (21) prefigures a production model expected mid-2026 at a base cost of €150,000 (£123,472.8).

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Trump-Getty

Trump has suggested the possibility of a 'great' trade deal that could help the UK mitigate the impact of tariffs he has pledged to introduce. (Photo: Getty Images)

Starmer, Trump talk trade deal progress in 'productive' discussion

KEIR STARMER and Donald Trump spoke on Sunday about ongoing UK-US trade negotiations, with Downing Street describing the talks as "productive."

Since leaving the European Union, the UK has been working to secure a trade agreement with the United States. Successive British governments have pursued a deal, but it has remained elusive.

Keep ReadingShow less