Why are Downing Street and the EU striking different tones about Brexit progress?
Michel Barnier suggests agreement in sight as No. 10 warns of no-deal
Depending on who you believe, a Brexit deal may be just around the corner - or just a fading dream.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said yesterday that there had been “movement” in the negotiations following the extension of Sunday’s deadline for reaching a future trade agreement.
“This is the architecture we are building,” she told an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) conference in Paris. “We are fine about the architecture itself, but the details in it - do they really fit? These are crucial points.”
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.
Von der Leyen’s cautiously optimistic tone was shared by Michel Barnier. The EU’s chief negotiator reportedly told the bloc’s ambassadors that a “narrow path” leading to a deal remained open, while also “warning that success would hinge on breakthroughs on difficult issues, including EU fishing rights”, says the Financial Times.
The mood in the UK camp appears to be significantly different, however.
A government source told the BBC on Monday that the negotiating teams had not made any “significant progress”. The leak came a day after Boris Johnson warned that “the most likely thing now is that we do have to get ready for WTO terms”.
But despite all the talk in London about a no-deal exit, The Times’ policy editor Oliver Wright suggests that Johnson’s “gloomy public prognosis is less aimed at the EU and more for domestic consumption”.
The prime minister’s “greatest fear” is that “many businesses who deal with the EU have simply not appreciated the scale of the things they need to do even if an agreement is reached with Brussels”, according to Wright.
“By playing up the threat of no deal - which businesses know will lead to disruption - Johnson is hoping to spur them into last-minute action which will be beneficial even if there is a 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
-
Hainault sword attack: police hunt for motive
Speed Read Mental health is key line of inquiry, as detectives prepare to interview suspect
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Shardlake: a 'tightly plotted, gorgeously atmospheric piece of television'
The Week Recommends Arthur Hughes captivates in this 'eminently watchable' Tudor murder mystery
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Major League Baseball is facing an epidemic of pitcher's injuries
Under the Radar Many insiders are blaming the pitch clock for the rise in injuries — but the league is not so sure
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Europe is now beginning to tackle its military to-do list'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US 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
-
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
-
Stormont power-sharing in sight: 'good news' for Northern Ireland?
Talking Point Unionists vote to end two-year boycott after agreeing legislative package to address post-Brexit trading arrangements
By The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How Finland's tightening presidential race could affect future of Europe
Under the radar Country has key geostrategic position along Nato's longest border with an increasingly belligerent Russia
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published