Royal Navy ships will be dispatched into the channel if a trade agreement is not brokered with the EU, with four armed vessels on standby as Brexit talks continue across the weekend.
Fish has remained a point of contention between the EU and the UK, with France’s Emmanuel Macron saying he would not give up his share of the fish in the channel to the detriment of his nation’s fishermen. “I’m not asking to have my cake and eat it, no”, he said. “All I want is a cake that’s worth its weight. Because I won’t give up my share of it either”.
Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative MP who chairs the defence select committee, said the government’s potential measure was “irresponsible”.
“Global threats increasing, Navy overstretched. Here we are squaring up to a NATO ally as beneath the same sea increased Russian sub/ drone activity goes unchecked,” he tweeted on Friday evening.
Tory MP calls for plan B
Here is Tory MP George Freeman – who admittedly has never been one to shy away from polite criticism of the current government – rolling back the party line on what was agreed with the country.
The PM has repeatedly tried to claim that any promises of a deal in the 2019 election a year ago were about leaving the EU, not the development of a trade deal at the end of transition – while saying the the nation’s possible future relationsip trading on WTO terms with Brussels was “wonderful”.
Vincent Wood12 December 2020 14:42
So long, and thanks for all the…
Fishy business makes up quite a small portion of the nation’s GDP – so why is it possible that this political hot potato is destined to fry any hopes of a trade deal?
Here’s Adam Forrest, who has wrapped up the debate with lashings of sober analysis and, regrettably, no chippy puns.
Vincent Wood12 December 2020 14:29
Deal or no deal – what comes next?
Negotiators from both sides are still working to hammer out a trade agreement between the EU and the UK over the course of the weekend – with Sunday the latest deadline for getting an agreement sorted.
Here’s Rob Merrick with what either side of the Brexit coin* could mean for the future:
Vincent Wood12 December 2020 14:10
Getting Brexit done, but like, really done
Remember when we did Brexit? When the whole thing ended on December 31st and we never spoke about it again?
Given you’re currently reading a live blog on the subject, you’d be forgiven for thinking the whole thing was, well, still happening.
Here’s Adam Forrest to explain the Sissyphean loop we’ve found ourselves stuck in for the past few years:
Vincent Wood12 December 2020 13:50
‘As a young Brit teaching in Europe, I’m terrified of the consequences of Brexit’
“Amid the chaos of leaving the EU, my health insurance and residency status will be in limbo” – Eloise Barry, a British teacher in Spain writes – “and if I return home for Christmas who knows if I’ll be able to get back into my host country”
More below:
Vincent Wood12 December 2020 13:36
Prepare for ‘punch up’ in Channel over fishing rights, former Chief of Naval Staff warns
Here is our lead story:
A no-deal Brexit is likely to end in “a punch up” in the Channel over fishing rights, a former First Sea Lord is warning – suggesting the Royal Navy needs the power to board EU vessels.
Read more below:
Vincent Wood12 December 2020 13:19
‘It infuriates me that Brexit-related food price rises can be described as a mere ‘bump in the road’’ – James Moore
Just how much of a “bump in the road” might a five per cent no deal Brexit-related rise in food prices, warned of by Tesco chairman John Allan, be?
Here is James Moore with his view:
Vincent Wood12 December 2020 13:03
Ursula von der Leyen: The EU chief stood between Johnson and his Brexit deal
Ursula von der Leyen could have been a pop star – but has ended up being a thorn in the side of the PM as he works to strike a deal with the EU chief.
Here is Sean O’Grady with the run down on the European Commission president:
Vincent Wood12 December 2020 12:45
‘Nothing has changed’: Workington Man still feeling forgotten a year after voting Tory in red wall’s fall
On the anniversary of a seismic election result, people in the Cumbrian town of Workington – which came to be a focal point of Boris Johnson’s strategy – tell Colin Drury want Brexit done and remain unconvinced by Labour.
Here’s why:
Vincent Wood12 December 2020 12:33
Why Brexit was only worth 10 minutes of EU leaders’ time
With just three weeks until no deal, on Thursday the EU’s 27 presidents and prime ministers all gathered in one place – devoting next-to-no time to Brexit.
Here is Jon Stone with why:
Vincent Wood12 December 2020 12:17
