BREXIT SABOTAGE: Remainer Umunna says Brexiteers have 'SURRENDERED!'
Getty Chuka Umunna has gloated that Brexiteers have surrendered to the European Union
The Labour MP mocked Brexiteers for “compromising on almost every single point” to get Brexit talks moving. He commented: “Despite once claiming they held all the cards in the negotiations in the end Brexiteers have been prepared to compromise and surrender on almost every single point. “On the divorce bill, on the primacy of European law, on freedom of movement, on fisheries, the Government has yet again capitulated. We should be in no doubt that this will be the shape of things to come in the negotiations over the future relationship. “With no clarity on what Britain wants from the negotiations and with the prospect of a cliff-edge merely pushed back a little further, it makes no sense to plunge into the transition period at all.
“Instead the UK should seek to extend the Article 50 negotiating period and aim to agree a comprehensive settlement. And if we cannot reach a Brexit deal that is good for Britain and matches the promises that were made in the referendum campaign we should keep all our options open.” Britain and the European Commission reached an agreement on a transition deal today which will allow talks on the future trade relationship to be triggered later this week. Brexit Secretary David Davis hailed the agreement as a “significant step” following talks with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels. Mr Barnier cautioned that some issues remained to be settled, including the thorny question of the Irish border and the governance of the eventual withdrawal agreement.
Getty Brexit Secretary David Davis hailed the agreement as a “significant step” following talks with EU
But Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said: “This agreement could have been signed months ago but ministers wasted time fighting among themselves, holding out on negotiating objectives that they have failed to achieve and pursuing their reckless red lines. “Labour was the first to call for sensible transitional arrangements because it is the only way to protect jobs and the economy. “It is welcome that they have finally struck a deal on transition and now the Government must prioritise negotiating a final agreement that protects jobs, the economy and guarantees there will be no hard border in Northern Ireland.” Under the terms of the joint legal text agreed by Mr Barnier and Mr Davis, the UK will be able to negotiate and ratify trade deals with outside countries following Brexit Day in March 2019, to enter into force after the end of a transition period lasting until the end of 2020. EU citizens arriving in the UK during the transition, as well as Britons settling on the Continent, will have the same rights as those in place before Brexit Day, said Mr Barnier.
Getty Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer accused ministers of "wasting time"
The agreement must be approved by EU leaders meeting at the European Council summit on March 22 and 23. This will allow vital negotiations on future EU/UK trade relations to get under way in earnest. Talks will continue on outstanding issues over the summer before a final text of the withdrawal is agreed in October and sent to the European and UK Parliaments for ratification Speaking alongside Mr Barnier at a Brussels press conference, Mr Davis said: “The deal we have struck today, on top of that agreed in December, should give us confidence that a good deal for the United Kingdom and the European Union is closer than ever before.” Prime Minister Theresa May said: “Prior to December, people questioned whether we would get agreement then. We did. People questioned whether we would get agreement now. We have.
Brexit latest: David Davis meets EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier Mon, March 19, 2018 David Davis meets EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels ahead of a crunch meeting of European Union leaders later this week Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 10 British Brexit minister David Davis (L) and EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier meet at the European Commission in Brussels