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Alberto Nardelli @AlbertoNardelli
, 4 tweets, 1 min read Read on Twitter
This story is so revealing of what drives Theresa May: The prime minister personally insisted that the words “Ending Of Free Movement Of People” be added to the first page of her Brexit deal buzzfeed.com/albertonardell…
In the middle of delicately balanced negotiations packed with technical and complicated issues, that May's big ask was to get the words "ending of free movement of people" on the first page of the political declaration is so revealing.
Over the past 2 years I have asked numerous EU and European government officials if they could pinpoint the exact moment May’s path towards a hard Brexit was set. Many, often without much hesitation, point to the PM’s ”citizens of nowhere” speech.
May's obsession with freedom of movement and immigration has defined more than anything else where the UK's Brexit predicament is today.

Full story: buzzfeed.com/albertonardell…
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More from @AlbertoNardelli see all

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Brexit. Things are getting worse.

1. The withdrawal agreement is needed regardless of the shape of the future relationship. The withdrawal agreement on the table, including the backstop, will not be renegotiated. EU27 cannot be clearer on this point – and this is the key point.
2. Throughout these negotiations, so many problems have been created by N10’s inability & unwillingness to set realistic expectations, explain tradeoffs and communicate clearly. As the PM runs out of road, the confusion over the withdrawal agreement is the latest example
3. The political declaration allows for a full spectrum of future options, but it is not clear what kind of relationship the UK wants. This will require a proper debate on tradeoffs (and years of negotiation). However, whatever that option: you need the withdrawal agreement
Read 7 tweets
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About last night:

1) May went to the meeting seeking legally-binded assurances with half-baked proposals to placate hard Brexiteers & DUP

These have been rejected repeatedly for obvious reasons. Backstop is an insurance policy not “a trap.” Not EU27 problem many MPs ignore this
2) May was asked by several leaders, and, I am told, most emphatically by Chancellor Merkel: 'what is it that you want?'

The prime minister was unable to provide an answer to this question with any precision.
That is where May is at in a nutshell: Nearly two years after triggering article 50, the UK does not have an answer to the question, "what do you want?"

There are also concerns that the UK – across the political spectrum – has no idea what kind of future relationship it wants.
Read 7 tweets
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EUCO draft Brexit conclusions: I understand that paragraph 5 (EU stands ready to examine whether any further assurances can be provided..) has gone.
Par. 1, which wasn't in square brackets, is of course unchanged: "The Union stands by this agreement and intends to proceed with its ratification. It is not open for renegotiation."
Par 2 unchanged: EU reiterates wish for 'as close as possible partnership.." 'stands ready to embark on prep immediately after signature of WA to ensure negotiations can start asap after withdrawal'. Understand 27 discussed starting prep work on future deal as soon as UK ratifies
Read 12 tweets

Related threads

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#Brexit #thread
1/ If you don’t follow Brexit every day, here’s some advice. Let go of any illusions that this drama is about trade protocols, residency rights or the status of the Irish border. Brexit is the story of a proud former imperial power undergoing a mid-life crisis
2/ The rest of the world is left listening to Britain’s therapy session as they drone on about their ex-spouse, unable to see, admit or address their own flaws.
3/ The promise of Brexit was that it would make Britain feel big again. “Britain is special,” the Brexiteers assured British voters, who cast their ballots accordingly. But Brexit has proven that for the first time in modern history, Britain is small.
Read 22 tweets
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The draft #Brexit deal will make Scotland poorer, according to @scotgov analysis.

Scotland's interests are best protected by staying in the EU or, failing that, the European Single Market and Customs Union.

Here's a thread setting out our position on the proposed deal. ⬇️
The proposed deal ends free movement of people, and yet all of the population increase needed to grow our economy over the next 25 years will come from migration.

EU nationals provide vital support to help us meet the need for workers in key sectors such as research and care.
The impact on the NHS in Scotland is particularly concerning.

Ending free movement of people will make it harder for skilled and experienced health professionals from EU 27 countries to work in our #NHS, where they fill vacancies in hard to recruit specialisms and regions.
Read 8 tweets
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Having calmed down slightly I now realise John McDonnells position of a Deal/no deal #Brexit ref if they can't force a GE is unrealistic independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
1/ chequers shows there is unlikely to be a deal acceptable to the EU and the europhobes in the tory party #Brexit so its likely that no deal #Brexit is the only available #Brexit and therefore there is unlikely to be a choice of deal or no deal to start with
2/ if May does comeback with a deal it will need labour support to pass Labour would have to choose between backing it thus forgoing any chance of bringing down the government and thus the GE they say they want and angering the labour movement or voting it down
Read 8 tweets
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1) Let's talk (again) about Free Movement of People & #Brexit

I'm going to use the full title here (FMoP) for reasons that will become clear

Free Movement of People is progressive, by definition. The freedom to control your life.
No definition of "progressive" takes rights away
2) I choose to work in 28 countries, if that exposes me to exploitation I expect the state to intervene & protect me, not take away my rights

Removing my rights in the name of stopping "exploitation" is victim blaming, pure & simple
3) if I can work in 28 countries, I have agency over a major part of my future. If that right is taken away, someone else has control.
Anyone of above average income already has effective freedom of movement, taking it away only impacts one group
Read 10 tweets
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UK is heading for #Brexit In Name Only. And maybe the slow, spasmodic death of British nationalism. Thread.
I’ve never believed UK & EU would agree terms on a new - indefinite - relationship. There’s a chasm between EU’s position & UK rhetoric 2/
Conservative Party backed EU for 50 years. Most grandees, funders and MPs still believe UK would do very badly if it left SM. Financial Times & Treasury agree 3/
Read 31 tweets
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.@MichelBarnier : "no possibility" of a UK-EU trade being concluded by #Brexit in March 2019. This is not news, even to @DavidDavisMP

So what can UK realistically get next year?

And does that tell us about UK strategy?

1/thread
First. What is possible.

In January talks will resume and the UK will focus on transition. This is DexEU and Treasury focus.

They will strike an early agreement on this, even pushing to find a way to formalise it prior to the Withdrawal Agreement being ratified /2
The EU will likely reject the attempt to formalise transition deal in some early, focusing instead on the following:

- drafting withdrawal agreement
- creating dispute resolution mechanisms on Money etc
- drafting a "political declaration" on trade/future relationship /3
Read 16 tweets

Trending hashtags

#ITA #Brexit #9b #9a #4b #Windrush #EU #11a #WindrushGeneration #Ireland #bbcqt #PECS #StopBrexit #brexit #StopArt50Clock #PeoplesVoteMarch #Lexit #GE2017 #Trump #Lexiters #11b #timefortruth #PeoplesVote #challenge #efta

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