Business leader says more important to implement current Brexit deal and solve Northern Ireland impasse
In his interviews this morning Robert Jenrick, the immigration minister, also ruled out pushing for a Swiss-style deal with the EU. Echoing the firm denial issued by No 10 yesterday, after the Sunday Times story was published (there was no denial ahead of publication), Jenrick told TalkTV:
We have a settled position on our relationship with the European Union, that’s the deal that was struck in 2019 and 2020 – and that’s the one that we intend to stick to.
That sets out the fundamental position that we don’t want to see a return to free movement, we don’t want to have the jurisdiction of European judges in the UK, and we don’t want to be paying any money to the European Union.
Money, free movement, jurisdiction of European judges: these are really important things that were discussed at length within the Conservative party, within the country, a few years ago.
We chose our position. I think it’s broadly the right one, because we did that for a reason.
In private, senior government sources have suggested that pursuing frictionless trade requires moving towards a Swiss-style relationship over the next decade. However, they insist this would not extend to a return to freedom of movement.
“It’s obviously something the EU would never offer us upfront because they would say you are trying to have your cake and eat it but the reason I think we will get it is because it is overwhelmingly in the businesses interests on both sides,” one said …
Business leader says more important to implement current Brexit deal and solve Northern Ireland impasseIn his interviews this morning Robert Jenrick, the immigration minister, also ruled out pushing for a Swiss-style deal with the EU. Echoing the firm denial issued by No 10 yesterday, after the Sunday Times story was published (there was no denial ahead of publication), Jenrick told TalkTV:We have a settled position on our relationship with the European Union, that’s the deal that was struck in 2019 and 2020 – and that’s the one that we intend to stick to.That sets out the fundamental position that we don’t want to see a return to free movement, we don’t want to have the jurisdiction of European judges in the UK, and we don’t want to be paying any money to the European Union.Money, free movement, jurisdiction of European judges: these are really important things that were discussed at length within the Conservative party, within the country, a few years ago.We chose our position. I think it’s broadly the right one, because we did that for a reason.In private, senior government sources have suggested that pursuing frictionless trade requires moving towards a Swiss-style relationship over the next decade. However, they insist this would not extend to a return to freedom of movement.“It’s obviously something the EU would never offer us upfront because they would say you are trying to have your cake and eat it but the reason I think we will get it is because it is overwhelmingly in the businesses interests on both sides,” one said … Continue reading…
