https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/dec/08/uk-cabinet-soon-to-hold-debate-about-ultimate-brexit-aims-sources-say
Now that the dust begins to settle after the frenetic and premature jubilation and plaudits flowing around parts of the media and amongst certain amongst Conservative MP's, hailing Theresa May's performance and early morning dash to Brussels as a "victory", there emerge strong rumblings from "sources", that all is not well in cabinet and government.
Notwithstanding all the praise heaped upon the Prime Minister from some very unlikely quarters, Iain Duncan-Smith, Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg and a particularly bizarre contribution from Michael Gove who claimed that, "the final whistle had blown and that Theresa May had won", it seems that closer examination of the "deal" reveals that, certainly from the hardline "Brexiteer" standpoint, the United Kingdom in the form of Prime Minister May, has caved in on practically every "red line" that ever existed in the UK "negotiating position" and that the way is now clearly set for the softest Brexit imaginable in March 2019. This will of course be totally unacceptable to the Members of Parliament and those elements in the media who have long been pressing and campaigning for a Hard Brexit at any cost and only now it seems, some 48 hours after the "victory" in Brussels are they coming to the realisation that far from achieving their objectives, they are still some way from ensuring that the United Kingdom leaves the EU completely, including the single market and the customs union.
There is already a simmering row in cabinet between the "Remain" and "Leave" elements, over the commitment to "full alignment" between the UK and the EU, which is meaningless in EU law. The provision was included simply to secure Republic of Ireland approval for the final document.
Hardline Brexiteers in cabinet and on government benches, are pressing for a "Hard Brexit" when Britain begins trade negotiations with Brussels as "payment" for their supporting Prime Minister May's deal last Friday. Brexiteers have now gained a majority in the cabinet after Gavin Williamson came out in favour of a "clean break" from European regulations.
The stage is set for an epic battle over the course of the next few weeks and months as the "hardliners" in cabinet and commons seek to ensure that the United Kingdom withdraws from all EU regulations and commitments, which is diametrically opposed to the agreement of last Friday which amongst other things, ensured that there would be no border between the Republic of Ireland and Ulster nor down the Irish Sea. The whole of the United Kingdom must be subject to the same conditions as every other part. If there is to be no border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland then all of the United Kingdom must remain part of the single market and customs union at the very least.
The media will be lining up behind their respective camps and throwing their weight into the "Hard Brexit" or "Soft Brexit" arguments. For the most part, we might expect that the debate will be reasoned with perhaps a leaning towards their particular viewpoint. However, neither camp should pay too much attention to this mornings "Sunday Express" nonsense which is just another indication of the papers completely absurd grasp of a story.
"After Theresa May's triumph in Brussels, we've got the EU over a barrel", screams the headline. Perhaps they should stay with weather forecasting and leave the grown ups to report the news.
Theresa May secures Tory goodwill but preparations for next battle begin
There is already a simmering row in cabinet between the "Remain" and "Leave" elements, over the commitment to "full alignment" between the UK and the EU, which is meaningless in EU law. The provision was included simply to secure Republic of Ireland approval for the final document.
Hardline Brexiteers in cabinet and on government benches, are pressing for a "Hard Brexit" when Britain begins trade negotiations with Brussels as "payment" for their supporting Prime Minister May's deal last Friday. Brexiteers have now gained a majority in the cabinet after Gavin Williamson came out in favour of a "clean break" from European regulations.
The media will be lining up behind their respective camps and throwing their weight into the "Hard Brexit" or "Soft Brexit" arguments. For the most part, we might expect that the debate will be reasoned with perhaps a leaning towards their particular viewpoint. However, neither camp should pay too much attention to this mornings "Sunday Express" nonsense which is just another indication of the papers completely absurd grasp of a story.
"After Theresa May's triumph in Brussels, we've got the EU over a barrel", screams the headline. Perhaps they should stay with weather forecasting and leave the grown ups to report the news.
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