DON'T LET MAC STAB US IN BACK
Boris Johnson urged to hold nerve as France hijack Brexit talks at the eleventh hour
BORIS Johnson was urged to stand firm last night after Brexit talks stretched to the eleventh hour.
French President Emmanuel Macron was blamed for the stalling that led to the PM’s phone chat with EU boss Ursula von der Leyen.
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France hardened its stance on Thursday by demanding “outlandish” fishing rights for ten years and the power for Brussels to hit us with tariffs if we do not follow EU rules.
Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin said: “President Macron wants to show he has stood up for France because he has an election coming up.
“I’ve no doubt that Boris will stand firm. The EU must come to terms with the reality that Britain is taking back control.
"The idea that France will be allowed to veto a trade agreement is ludicrous — especially when Germany, Denmark and French farmers want one.
Anxious Tories pleaded with Mr Johnson to hold his nerve and tell France “Non”.
And they warned of a massive backlash from MPs in former Labour seats, and the voters who put him in power, if he caves in now.
Alexander Stafford, the first Tory ever to win Rother Valley, warned his supporters would desert him in droves.
With just 25 days to go until the Brexit process is complete, he declared: “There must be no backsliding now.”
France was under pressure to row back from its hardline stance which other countries have warned is too harsh on Britain.
UK officials say they were stunned by the dynamite move on Thursday, which threatened to blow up the talks.
They told EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier the demand was “totally unacceptable” and there will be no deal unless it is withdrawn.
Edgar Millar, of the Centre for Brexit Policy, declared: “The EU has failed to negotiate with goodwill from day one. Now at the 11th hour, rather unsurprisingly, President Macron has attempted to stab Britain in the back by making outlandish demands.
“The Prime Minister must not budge an inch. Britain will thrive in a No Deal Brexit.”
Tory MP Peter Bone said Mr Macron was trying to “crash the talks”.
He said: “He could say no to a deal for domestic political reasons but that doesn’t make any sense objectively, it doesn’t help the EU and doesn’t help the UK. He may have a political agenda that outweighs the economic benefits of a free trade deal.”
Downing Street has pleaded with Brexiteer MPs to remain tight-lipped while the talks entered their final stage.
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But some broke ranks after Mr Macron, up for re-election in 2022, made his “ridiculous” smash-and-grab raid.
They warned last week’s revolt by 56 Tories over the Covid tier system would be “a walk in the park” compared to what would happen if the PM tried to get a rotten deal through Parliament.
One said: “Some of us have developed a taste for rebellion. And what we’ve seen so far would be nothing compared to what would happen if Boris signs a sell-out deal.”
Hardline Brexiteers have privately discussed toppling the PM if he breaks his pledge “to take back control” of Britain’s sovereignty.
A senior MP said: “I would be among the first to hand in a letter calling for a no- confidence vote.”
Under what’s known as the “ratchet clause”, the UK could choose to mirror European red tape or face economic sanctions.
Paris has argued the European Commission should be able to react immediately to any British move it deems to be “anti-competitive”.
Stciking points
FISHING WATERS
THE EU wants its trawlers to maintain existing rights in UK waters before signing and this is a key stumbling block.
'PLAYING FIELD'
BRUSSELS wants a “level playing field” on the likes of workers’ rights, environmental issues and state subsidies.
EUROPEAN COURT
DISPUTES need to be resolved in the future but the UK wants the European Court of Justice to have no role.
But other capitals are uneasy about the demand, which would grant eurocrats sweeping powers and the UK no chance to defend itself.
And former Brexit Secretary David Davis said: “If tariffs are imposed on imports such as cars, effectively a tax, EU states will be paying us a lot more money in tariffs than we will have to pay them — an equation that is billions of pounds a year in our favour.
“At this crucial time, the Prime Minister must stand firm and hold his nerve.”
Ex-Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith added: “The worst possible thing for the Prime Minister to do would be to compromise in a hurry. He’s under no more pressure to do a deal than the EU leadership and must stick to his guns.”
Brexiteer MP Andrew Bridgen said: “No independent sovereign nation could capitulate to the demands of President Macron.
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“He has given Boris Johnson no choice but to stand firm. He knows no deal is better than a bad deal.”
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The Tory MP accused Michel Barnier and his team of being more concerned about their own positions than the future of European workers.
But French Europe minister Clement Beaune insisted Paris won’t allow its fishermen to be “sacrificed or taken hostage” in the last days of talks.
Q&A
WHAT are the stumbling blocks to a deal?
A “level playing field” on state subsidies, workers’ rights, environmental protections, fishing and dealing with disputes from any deal.
And the solutions?
The PM has agreed to maintain current “level playing field” standards.
On fishing, Britain is rejecting a demand for a decade-long transition.
What deal will Eurosceptic Tories back?
The majority of MPs will OK a deal giving Britain back control of borders and laws.
Could France scupper a deal?
President Macron could KO a deal using France’s veto.
All the EU’s 27 member states who must approve a trade deal have a veto.
What’s the deadline?
Tonight or early this week. A key Brussels summit is being held on Thursday.
And Britain’s no-deal legislation?
Tomorrow the Commons votes on reinserting controversial Northern Ireland provisions into the UK Internal Market Bill.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma says we are in a 'critical phase' of post-Brexit trade talks with the EU and there are some 'tricky issues still to be resolved'
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