Downing Street says EU talks are ‘doomed’ because Brussels insists on ‘level playing field’
DOWNING Street expects talks with the EU to blow up almost immediately — even before official negotiations begin.
With talks set to start in around two weeks, and the European Union still to set out its stall, the two opening positions will be miles apart on any deal.
As Brussels insists on strict rules and a “level playing field” as well as EU court deciding regulations, Boris Johnson is set to stand firm, according to The Sun’s columnist James Forsyth.
The EU has failed to take on board Boris’s massive election landslide and how serious they are to walking away with no deal.
They are still hoping that they can bully the UK into a deal, believing their larger size, population and market value will give them the advantage.
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But they also hope that the threat of lorries backing up from Dover and clogging up the Kent countryside will be enough of a threat to strike a deal in their favour.
However No.10 is prepared to accept a few “hiccups” in the first year of the government, as they don’t have to face the ballot box again until 2024.
Boris will also be much tougher on the Northern Ireland issues, a trump card for the EU during the withdrawal negotiations.
THE SUN SAYS
IF EU officials believe our Government will cave in to their ludicrous demands, they have another thing coming.
When timid Theresa May was leading a minority Government, the EU could strongarm Britain into anything.
But now the Leave campaign has been transplanted to No10 with a whopping mandate, the scales of power have tipped. If the EU can grasp this fact, these trade talks might prove fruitful.
If not, Britain will walk out. And European politicians will be the ones to face the music at the ballot box.
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