Will new Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab take a different approach with the EU?
Former lawyer heads to Brussels today for his first round of talks with chief negotiator Michel Barnier

The UK’s new Brexit secretary is heading to Brussels today for his first series of talks with the EU’s chief negotiator.
Former housing minister Dominic Raab was appointed to the role last week following the shock resignation of David Davis, who disagreed with Theresa May’s vision for a Brexit that kept the UK in the EU customs union.
“It now falls to Raab - part of the winning Leave campaign in the 2016 EU referendum - to continue negotiations with the EU’s Michel Barnier,” says the BBC. Their meeting today “comes as the European Commission is instructing other EU states to prepare for a no-deal Brexit”, the broadcaster adds.
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.
According to The Spectator, the new Brexit secretary is “a savvy hire by No. 10 thanks to the fact Raab is a Davis ally and a dedicated Leaver”.
“It will help to send the signal that this is still a Brexit Brexiteers can get behind. Also, getting a Brexiteer to take on this job shows that the revolt against the Chequers deal is, still, relatively limited,” the newspaper says.
Raab has said in the past that he believes in “a full fat” Brexit, reports The Independent.
Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, he said: “What we now should all do on all sides of this chamber is not call for second referendums, not call for returning to the customs union, but get behind the Government’s plan, show some united front, so we get the very best deal for everyone in this country.”
His first challenge in pursuing that outcome will be to smooth over relations with Barnier, having accused him last year of being “unprofessional” and out to “teach” the UK a lesson.
Raab’s predecessor also had a fraught relationship with the EU negotiator. Davis “increasingly avoided press conferences with Barnier”, who used the platforms “to highlight the deficiencies in the UK’s approach”, The Guardian says.
The new Brexit Secretary’s arrival in Brussels today coincides with the publication of an EU Commission advisory document to the 27 remaining EU states that conjures images of “long queues at borders and ports, disruption to air transport and restrictions on data transfers” in the event of a breakdown in Brexit negotations, reports The Daily Telegraph.
“The document risks embarrassing Raab” with its “dire picture of the consequences for the customs, animal, health, pharmaceuticals and financial services sectors, in particular those in the City of London, which will lose access to the single market”, adds the newspaper.
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
-
What should you be stockpiling for 'World War Three'?
In the Spotlight Britons advised to prepare after the EU tells its citizens to have an emergency kit just in case
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Carnivore diet: why people are eating only meat
The Explainer 'Meatfluencers' are taking social media by storm but experts warn meat-only diets have health consequences
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Scientists want to fight malaria by poisoning mosquitoes with human blood
Under the radar Drugging the bugs
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Has Starmer put Britain back on the world stage?
Talking Point UK takes leading role in Europe on Ukraine and Starmer praised as credible 'bridge' with the US under Trump
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Trump vows 25% tariffs on EU at Cabinet meeting
Speed Read The tariff threats serve to enhance a growing suspicion that the president views Europe as an adversary, not an ally
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why are Europe's leaders raising red flags about Trump's Ukraine overtures to Putin?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Officials from across the continent warn that any peace plan without their input is doomed from the start
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Left on read: Labour's WhatsApp dilemma
Talking Point Andrew Gwynne has been sacked as health minister over messages posted in a Labour WhatsApp group
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Keir Starmer have to choose between the EU and the US?
Today's Big Question Starmer's 'reset' with the EU will focus on 'defence for trade' but an 'EU-hating' president in the White House could cause the PM trouble
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
New Year's Honours: why the controversy?
Today's Big Question London Mayor Sadiq Khan and England men's football manager Gareth Southgate have both received a knighthood despite debatable records
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Starmer's Brexit reset work?
Today's Big Question PM will have to tread a fine line to keep Leavers on side as leaks suggest EU's 'tough red lines' in trade talks next year
By The Week UK Published
-
France's Macron vows to finish out term
Speed Read French President Emmanuel Macron rejected calls to step down and said he will name a new government in the coming days
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published