Barnier: "[On the British proposals] to put things frankly and to try and be objective. We are not really in a position to be able to find an agreement."
Barnier on customs: "What we are being asked for in reality is to accept a system which has not properly developed, hasn't been tested, where there will be controls spread out across Ireland and largely based on exemptions and tech which has yet to be developed." Ouch.
Barnier: "The British proposals do not give us the same security as we have with the backstop...What happens if we can't find a solution during the transition period? Then it relies on UK unilateral measures. Then there is a significant risk to EU single market."
Barnier: "The proposals of the British govt as things stand is not something we cannot accept. It replaces something which is an operational, practical, legal solution with one which is simply a temporary solution."
Barnier: "Boris Johnson is asking us to have a very simple free trade agreement. He's asked us to take out proposals agreed with Theresa May in Pol Declaration about a level playing field... that leaves us with risk of simple FTA, social competition, tax dumping etc."
Barnier: "Brexit is creating specific, serious problems, especially in Ireland. What we need is operational, legally binding solutions...so we we will remain calm, vigilant and constructive. We will be respectful of the UK and those who lead it."
Barnier: "We will be available 24/7 in the upcoming days to try and reach an agreement...even with all these problems, I believe if there is goodwill on all sides, an agreement is still possible."
Barnier topped and tailed that with diplomatic nicety. But the meat was an unadulerated excoriation of the British position. A deal feels very distant.
He was animated and you could hear the frustration in his voice.
Former Commissioner and Polish MEP Danuta Hübner: "The proposal which came from the UK has not met our expectations."
.@guyverhofstadt: "I will be less diplomatic than Michel Barnier. Boris Johnson's proposals were not serious at all."
@guyverhofstadt .@guyverhofstadt: "I cannot believe that some 20 or so Labour MPs might think about voting for such a deal. It is contrary to everything Labour has stood for in the past."
@guyverhofstadt .@guyverhofstadt: "The real reason why this is all happening is that it is a blame game. A blame game against everyone: the union, Ireland, Mrs Merkel, the British judicial system, Labour, Lib Dems, even against Mrs. May. The only person to escape blame is Boris Johnson himself."
@guyverhofstadt .@MaireadMcGMEP (in the chair) scolding Brexit Party MEPs for "tittering" and "rudeness" to other speakers, especially British remain MEPs, making their speeches.
@guyverhofstadt @MaireadMcGMEP It is notable that in the debate in the European Parliament this afternoon, those rising to support British efforts and to join in condemnation of the EU are from very extremist parties: Vox, Golden Dawn, AfD...
@guyverhofstadt @MaireadMcGMEP Ioannis Lagos, from the Greek Golden Dawn: "The referendum took place, they made a decision and according to democratic logic it should be respected."
@guyverhofstadt @MaireadMcGMEP Pedro Silva Pereira, Portuguese Socialist: "Mr. Johnson i strying to sell us a very nice house, with a swimming pool. But in fact the house doesn't have a swimming pool after all. Is Boris Johnson's offer a real offer? No."
@guyverhofstadt @MaireadMcGMEP @LNethsingha Lib Dem MEP: After the extension a "cross party group will eject Boris Johnson from office. We ask you [the EU] for as long an extension as possible so as to have a referendum."
@guyverhofstadt @MaireadMcGMEP @LNethsingha .@Nigel_Farage: "We are not dealing with people acting in good faith, yes I'm looking at your Mr. Barnier...we don't want your treaty in any form even with Mr. Johnson's proposed amendments. We've had enough of being talked down to you by you."
@guyverhofstadt @MaireadMcGMEP @LNethsingha @Nigel_Farage Farage calls @JudithBuntingLD a "patronising, stuck up snob."
@guyverhofstadt @MaireadMcGMEP @LNethsingha @Nigel_Farage @JudithBuntingLD MEP after MEP has risen in support of Michel Barnier and to speak against Boris Johnson's proposals. French MEP Fabienne Keller: "The proposals from Boris Johnson really do not hold water. We need an agreement but not at any cost."
@guyverhofstadt @MaireadMcGMEP @LNethsingha @Nigel_Farage @JudithBuntingLD .@RCorbettMEP: "I urge you to grant the extension. Not only to avoid no deal but also for British democratic processes to play out, a general election a referendum, possibly both...put the actual Brexit deal on the table and you will see the outcome might be the right one."
@guyverhofstadt @MaireadMcGMEP @LNethsingha @Nigel_Farage @JudithBuntingLD @RCorbettMEP Virtually every MEP who has spoken (save Brexit Party etc) has supported an Article 50 extension.
@guyverhofstadt @MaireadMcGMEP @LNethsingha @Nigel_Farage @JudithBuntingLD @RCorbettMEP .@TiceRichard [to Barnier] "You want to handcuff the UK to the customs union because you don't want us to succeed."
@guyverhofstadt @MaireadMcGMEP @LNethsingha @Nigel_Farage @JudithBuntingLD @RCorbettMEP @TiceRichard Tytti Tuppurainen, Finnish Europe Minister: "I regret to reiterate that British proposals are not operational. There is therefore serious work to do if we are to achieve a deal...But if requested by the UK for a good reason an extension will be considered."
