Draft conclusions for a summit of EU leaders next week offer a stark, four-paragraph overview of negotiations that have largely stalled since March on the most important political issues.
In an unwelcome warning for Theresa May, British prime minister, the summit text says contingency planning for a hard exit in March 2019 must be accelerated.
“The European Council renews its call upon member states and all stakeholders to step up their work on preparedness at all levels and for all outcomes,” the conclusions state.
The prospect of a no-deal Brexit is also at the centre of parliamentary machinations in Westminster, as Mrs May seeks to quash a rebellion by pro-European Conservative MPs who want to be able to stop the prime minister from taking Britain out of the EU without an agreement. On Tuesday evening, Mrs May and the rebels were involved in talks to find a compromise deal to avoid a showdown.
While the prime minister has dropped her previous rhetoric that “no deal is better than a bad deal”, instead insisting that her government seeks an ambitious accord with Brussels, her supporters argue that Britain needs to maintain the option of walking away from talks to maintain its leverage.
The EU side acknowledges progress in parts of the withdrawal talks, covering relatively uncontroversial areas relating to Britain’s divorce.
But frustration is growing in European capitals over the slow pace of negotiations on Ireland and the future relationship. “It is going nowhere and it is clear to everyone,” said one senior EU diplomat, who expected the talks to drag on into the winter. [...]
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