UK can still reverse its Brexit decision until 2021, says Michel Barnier

Friday, April 13th 2018 - 08:50 UTC

Full article 6 comments

Barnier gave Theresa May until December 31 2020 to change her mind on Britain exiting as it withdraws from the EU

The EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said the UK can reverse its position on leaving the single market and customs union up until the end of the Brexit transition period. The EU official gave Theresa May until December 31 2020 to change her mind on Britain exiting the pair as it withdraws from the EU, saying: “So long as they have not left, during the transition period, everything is still possible.”

The Prime Minister used a speech in March to repeat her “red lines” that the UK will leave the single market and customs union as well as the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. The UK will formally leave the EU on March 29 2019, two years after the invocation of Article 50.

The 21-month transition period is due to end on December 31 the following year, coinciding with the end of the EU’s seven-year budget.

Speaking to European reporters, Mr. Barnier said: “If the British wish to modify their red lines, we will modify ours in consequence. I am not hearing that today but everything is possible, there is no dogmatism.”

He added: “What creates the problem in Ireland, is the decision of the United Kingdom to leave the EU but also to leave what it is not obligatory to leave, that’s to say the single market and the customs union.

Categories: Politics, International.

Tags: Brexit, European Union, Michel Barnier, Theresa May, United Kingdom.

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Pontefractious
Once again Barnier shows his sophisticated side. No-one who seriously wants to get things done indulges in this kind of megaphone diplomacy (a fault if the truth be known that has distinguished communications on both sides). They need to get rid of Barnier, Tusk and their group of ivory tower layabouts and get some people in who are not besotted with the idea of punishing the UK and who will listen to those in Europe who have a vested interest in maintaining strong relations with the UK post-Brexit.
Apr 13th, 2018 - 04:36 pm +1
ElaineB
I am pretty certain we won't reverse the decision of the majority - even though it is apparent now that the Leave campaign indulged in some illegal practises. The fact is we are moving towards leaving and the result will be that much remains the same except we won't have a seat at the decision-making table. I hardly think we will notice except for blue coloured passports which we could have had without leaving the EU. That and a loss of power.

All that said, it is true that we could change our minds up until the 'divorce' becomes final. In fact, the public SHOULD have a vote on whether or not to accept the final deal because it may not be exactly what the Leave voters wanted. Voting to Leave was one issue - the terms of leaving is another one entirely.
Apr 15th, 2018 - 03:34 pm 0
Yaigulah3x
The question is why is this piece appearing in Mercopenguin, a British government propaganda organ supposedly devoted to America, South America and the “South Atlantic”?
Apr 20th, 2018 - 02:48 am 0

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