‘Complete lack of movement’ on fishing set to trigger no-deal Brexit, UK officials warn
EU refuses to budge on totemic issue as time ticks away on transition period
The odds of no-deal Brexit are increasing as a result of a “complete lack of movement” from the EU in the ongoing row over fishing rights, UK officials have warned.
Progress has been made on issues including law enforcement, transport and social security, but a source told Politico’s London Playbook that if Brussels continues to demand free access to UK waters and continuity in fishing quotas, no agreement on post-Brexit trade can be reached.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t achieved as much as we’d hoped during these intensive talks so far,” said the source, who claimed the EU is also continuing to demand that the UK does not diverge too far from the bloc’s approach to state aid.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
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.
“We still need more realism from the EU,” the insider continued. “They can’t expect us to agree to a treaty under which we can’t move away from EU norms in important areas.
“And they don’t seem to have realized the scale of change in fishing rights they face if there is no agreement.”
On Sunday, Boris Johnson told Sky News that he has “always been a great enthusiast for a trade deal with our European friends and partners”, adding: “The broad outlines are pretty clear, we just need to get on and do it if we can.”
UK and EU negotiators are resuming talks in London today, as the House of Lords debates the prime minister’s contentious Internal Market Bill.
The bill, which reneges on elements of the Withdrawal Agreement signed in January, has been condemned by US president-elect Joe Biden, and risks triggered a “rift” between the new White House administration and Downing Street, The Guardian reports.
As the paper notes, Biden “has expressed negative views on the UK’s plans to override parts of the agreement if no deal is reached with the bloc”.
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
Joe Evans is the world news editor at TheWeek.co.uk. He joined the team in 2019 and held roles including deputy news editor and acting news editor before moving into his current position in early 2021. He is a regular panellist on The Week Unwrapped podcast, discussing politics and foreign affairs.
Before joining The Week, he worked as a freelance journalist covering the UK and Ireland for German newspapers and magazines. A series of features on Brexit and the Irish border got him nominated for the Hostwriter Prize in 2019. Prior to settling down in London, he lived and worked in Cambodia, where he ran communications for a non-governmental organisation and worked as a journalist covering Southeast Asia. He has a master’s degree in journalism from City, University of London, and before that studied English Literature at the University of Manchester.
-
Saint Paul de Vence: a paradise for art lovers
The Week Recommends The hilltop gem in the French Riviera where 20th century modernism flourished
By Alexandra Zagalsky Published
-
'People in general want workers to earn a decent living'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What might a Trump victory mean for the global economy?
Today's Big Question A second term in office for the 'America First' administration would send shockwaves far beyond the United States' shores
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Was Georgia's election stolen?
Today's Big Question The incumbent Georgian Dream party seized a majority in the disputed poll, defying predictions
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Moldova backs joining EU in close vote marred by Russia
Speed Read The country's president was also pushed into a runoff election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The fishy diplomacy causing tensions between Bangladesh and India
Under The Radar Exports of a 'sacred' fish were recently suspended during difficult relations for the two nations
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Why is Germany cracking down on migration?
Today's Big Question New border rules test the European Union
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Is Britain about to 'boil over'?
Today's Big Question A message shared across far-right groups listed more than 30 potential targets for violence in the UK today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
UK's Starmer slams 'far-right thuggery' at riots
Speed Read The anti-immigrant violence was spurred by false rumors that the suspect in the Southport knife attack was an immigrant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published