21 November 2017

Financial Times: Theresa May wins support for bigger bill to break Brexit deadlock

Theresa May won ministerial backing for her plan to break the deadlock in Brexit talks next month, but Eurosceptic colleagues warned that any increase in the UK’s “divorce bill” offer to at least €40bn must be conditional on it securing a transition deal and a good trade agreement with the EU.

The prime minister is expected to make her improved financial offer at the last possible moment ahead of next month’s EU summit in Brussels and only after she is sure that it will unlock stalled Brexit negotiations. British officials have identified December 8 as the moment for finalising the offer, which is intended to close the gap between the €20bn Mrs May has already put on the table and the €60bn divorce payment sought by the EU.

Ministers have variously speculated that the UK promise to honour outstanding EU commitments might imply a bill of €40bn to €50bn. Mrs May will not put a precise figure on the offer but instead give greater detail on how it would be calculated.

The issue was discussed on Monday in Downing Street by the 10-member cabinet subcommittee on Brexit negotiations. One minister said: “There is consensus behind the prime minister’s position — for now.”

Mrs May told colleagues she was seeking assurances from EU leaders that the move on the divorce bill would be received favourably. She wants to give the leaders just enough time to prepare a positive response at the European Council in Brussels on December 14-15.

Britain wants the European Council to declare that “sufficient progress” has been made in the first phase of Brexit talks and to open the door to a transition deal with the EU and talks on a trade agreement.

Mrs May hinted during a visit to Birmingham at the delicate choreography involved in getting both sides to “jump together” at the Brussels summit.

“What I want to see is developing that deep and special partnership with the EU for the future and I want to see us moving together because, as I’ve always said, a deal that’s good for the UK will be good for the European Union,” she said. [...]

Full article on Financial Times (subscription required)

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