Michael Gove says the EU is ‘refusing to negotiate’
Minister claims he is ‘deeply saddened’ by EU's position
![Michael Gove](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FVZrEZY887GB6L8AmpLEZU-415-80.jpg)
Michael Gove, the minister with responsibility for no-deal preparations, has said that he is “deeply saddened that the EU now seem to be refusing to negotiate with UK”.
Gove said “we do need a new approach” but added that “the days of drift we've had in the past have ended”.
The BBC said the minister’s comments come “after the EU said UK demands to remove the Irish backstop from Theresa May's deal were unacceptable”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
EU leaders have refused to comply to the demands, with a spokesperson for the European Commission confirming again: “We will not re-open the withdrawal agreement.”
Sky News says Brussels has left some room for wriggling. It reports that EU chiefs have stated that the non-binding political declaration setting out the terms for negotiations on the future relationship could be changed and that “we do remain open to hold talks should the UK wish to clarify its position”.
However, Gove painted a different picture. Speaking yesterday morning, he said: “At the moment it's the EU that seems to be saying they're not interested - they're simply saying 'no we don't want to talk'. I think that's wrong and sad.
“We can't have a deal that doesn't command the confidence of the government, the parliament and the country.”
He added that the prime minister “will apply all the energy of the government and ensure that in the spirit of friendliness we can negotiate a new deal,” but added: “Whatever happens, while we remain ready and willing to negotiate, the EU must appreciate that we’re leaving on 31 October, deal or no deal.”
His statements come in the wake of a report in the Daily Telegraph that Dominic Cummings, the prime minister’s chief strategist, has threatened Downing Street staff with the sack if they tried to block no deal.
Although the Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has insisted he is not “fatalistic” and a hard Brexit can be avoided, he warned its chances grow by the day.
A senior EU diplomat quoted in The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph agrees, saying: “our working hypothesis is no-deal”.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Hamas and Fatah sign unity agreement in Beijing
Speed Read China brokered a reconciliation deal between the rival Palestinian factions
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
The Earth just saw its hottest day on record
Speed Read July 21, 2024 was the hottest day in recorded global history
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Bob Menendez to resign after corruption conviction
Speed Read The New Jersey senator submitted to resignation pressure following charges of federal bribery and corruption
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The Tamils stranded on 'secretive' British island in Indian Ocean
Under the Radar Migrants 'unlawfully detained' since 2021 shipwreck on UK-controlled Diego Garcia, site of important US military base
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Britain's Labour Party wins in a landslide
Speed Read The Conservatives were unseated after 14 years of rule
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Will voter apathy and low turnout blight the election?
Today's Big Question Belief that result is 'foregone conclusion', or that politicians can't be trusted, could exacerbate long-term turnout decline
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is David Cameron overshadowing Rishi Sunak?
Talking Point Current PM faces 'thorny dilemma' as predecessor enjoys return to world stage
By The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Can Boris Johnson save Rishi Sunak?
Today's Big Question Former PM could 'make the difference' between losing the next election and annihilation
By The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published