Based on a skim of the White Paper:
On the face of it (leaving the Single Market & Customs Union) this is not what would have been called a “soft” Brexit 2 yrs ago.
But it’s a bit softer than that suggests. Lots of “let’s keep this and that bit of the CU/SM but not call it that”
On the face of it (leaving the Single Market & Customs Union) this is not what would have been called a “soft” Brexit 2 yrs ago.
But it’s a bit softer than that suggests. Lots of “let’s keep this and that bit of the CU/SM but not call it that”
In one line: about as soft as is possible whilst keeping the existing red lines in name, if not exactly in spirit.
And this really should be seen as what it is - an offer, in an ongoing process - not an end state.
Can’t imagine EU-27 will be silly enough to shoot this down straight away. Although also don’t see them accepting it as it stands either.
And remember - it’s the withdrawal bits & Irish backstop that really matter. The rest of the substance can come later.
And remember - it’s the withdrawal bits & Irish backstop that really matter. The rest of the substance can come later.
A more bespoke (I.e. not Canada or Norway) deal is easier if the U.K. and EU both accept that we are “out of the SM and CU” officially whilst quietly building a new v similar arrangement.
Meets UK red lines (in name anyway) and EU red line of “4 freedoms indivisible”.
Meets UK red lines (in name anyway) and EU red line of “4 freedoms indivisible”.
Really short version of the above: if we want a bespoke deal, it’s time to put away the legal treaties and reach for a thesaurus.
Final point - after a closer read - the services stuff is the most interesting. Actual acknowledgement of the sovereignty/market access point.
