EU ramps up Brexit preparations as ‘reality’ of Boris Johnson’s No Deal is ‘sinking in’
BRUSSELS has finally realised Boris Johnson is serious about a No Deal Brexit and has “no intention” of trying to get a new deal.
EU member states have agreed to dig in over the backstop and dismissed calls for Michel Barnier’s mandate to be torn up as “confrontational and unhelpful”.
At a meeting yesterday representatives from the 27 capitals decided to ramp up No Deal planning in September with a major communications blitz.
Diplomats expressed alarm at the positions put by Mr Johnson’s chief negotiator, David Frost, in meetings with the Commission last week.
Sources said they had concluded from the talks that “it was clear the UK does not have another plan” besides ditching the backstop entirely.
Some member states expressed concerns even that would not be enough to win over hardline Brexiteer MPs who have their hearts set on No Deal.
A spokesman for the PM insisted he “wants to meet EU leaders and negotiate a new deal with the greatest energy and the spirit of friendship”.
But an EU diplomatic source said: “The conclusion is that No Deal appears to be the UK Government’s central scenario now.
“Reality is sinking in. Johnson has been so public and categorical in his statements that it is hard to see how his Government can go back on them.”
Yesterday it emerged Germany doesn’t believe the PM will be able to make good on his threat to take the UK out without an agreement on October 31.
Officials in Berlin reckon MPs will block No Deal and an ensuing election would result in a new pro-EU government committed to a second referendum.
Sources said Mr Frost also conceded to Eurocrats that alternative arrangements to the Irish border may not be ready in time for Brexit day.
Rebel MPs in exit blow
By Kate Ferguson
BORIS Johnson’s allies yesterday warned rebel MPs they could not block a No Deal Brexit.
Downing Street told them they could not pick and choose the votes they respected and Brexit would be on October 31.
And in a U-turn, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Parliament could no longer block No Deal.
He added: “The parliamentary arithmetic did not play out as I anticipated.”
'REALITY IS SINKING IN'
One diplomat suggested the admission would help bolster EU unity with Ireland, saying: “It was useful for us to hear that from the horse’s mouth.
“The message is now being sent out from Brussels loud and clear to national capitals that even if the EU gave up the backstop there is no alternative.”
Brussels sources said Mr Frost also told the Commission the PM will seek a bare-bones trade deal after No Deal that totally frees Britain from EU rules.
Mr Johnson’s top negotiator said the UK just wants a “conventional” FTA with no "level playing field" obligations.
Such an agreement is seen by the EU as a downgrade on its offer to Britain of a pact that eliminates all tariffs and quotas in return for alignment.
It would mean Britain could diverge from Brussels regulations, possibly gaining a competitive advantage for our businesses over European rivals.
But the further away from EU rules the Government chose to go, the more barriers would be put up to trade between the UK and the Continent.
A UK Government spokesman said there was “abundant scope to find the technological solutions necessary” to the Irish border in a future FTA.
They said: “We are ready to negotiate in good faith an alternative to the anti-democratic backstop.
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“We want a friendly and constructive relationship as friends and partners in facing the challenges that lie ahead, based on a deep Free Trade Agreement.
“We hope the EU will rethink its current refusal to make any changes to the Withdrawal Agreement.
“If the EU wants a deal it needs to change its stance. Until then, we will continue to prepare to leave the EU on October 31.”
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