JEREMY Hunt urged EU leaders to “trust” the UK Government yesterday as a week of intense Brexit talks began.
Speaking in Brussels at a meeting of foreign ministers, Hunt insisted there is a “way through” the current impasse. He said: “What we need is trust and vision on both sides because what is at stake here is Britain’s relationship with its European neighbours for the next 25 years.”
The comments come ahead of meetings between Theresa May and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.
Last week May held talks with 13 European leaders, including Angela Merkel of Germany and Emmanuel Macron of France.
READ MORE: New analysis of polls shows huge surge for Remain vote on Brexit
This continued at the weekend when she had discussions with seven more, such as Italy’s Giuseppe Conte.
The Prime Minister hopes to speak with her remaining EU counterparts in the coming days.
Attorney General Geoffrey Cox will today make a speech in London setting out “legal tests” to ensure the UK will not become trapped indefinitely in a customs union by the backstop.
But EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier, who met Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay yesterday, has emphasised that “time is very short”, as March 29 – Brexit day – looms nearer.
Downing Street insiders have acknowledged that it is “hard to judge” what progress will be made this week.
Meanwhile, Swindon North MP Justin Tomlinson has denied reports that the closure of his constituency’s Honda car plant, which employs 3500 people, is connected to Brexit.
The Japanese car giant pledged its commitment to the UK just six months ago, but last month it announced plans for a six-day shutdown to prepare for “any disruption caused by logistics and border issues following the UK leaving the EU on March 29”.
The Wiltshire site produces around 160,000 Honda Civics a year, with more than 90% of vehicles exported to the EU and America.
Yesterday Tomlinson confirmed reports that it plans to close the factory in three years.
Honda itself had declined to comment. However, Tomlinson said he had spoken to the Business Secretary and car firm about the move. He tweeted: “They are clear this is based on global trends and not Brexit as all European market production will consolidate in Japan in 2021.”
The Honda news follows the Saturday collapse of the airline flybmi, which employed 376 people.
The East Midlands-based carrier said challenges “created by Brexit” had contributed to its decline.
Cabinet Office minister David Lidington yesterday claimed that the UK Government remains determined to avoid a no-deal exit, saying in a radio interview that this is “something that no member of the Cabinet wants to see” because it would “cause some serious damage to our economy and, I think, put strain on the union of the United Kingdom”.
Lidington admitted reopening the withdrawal agreement – something rejected by most other EU nations – would be “very difficult”.
He went on: “MPs right across the Commons put great weight on the Attorney General’s legal advice last time around, I think they will do so again, which is why what he says in his speech and why his involvement in the negotiations will be very important in finding the right way forward.”
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has downplayed concerns about what no-deal could do to business, telling the Commons that the EU “needs countries like Britain” if it wants to succeed in developing a defence sector.
He said: “Most of our defence procurement and most of the opportunities in terms of the defence industry isn’t through the European Union, and we’ll continue to work with the European Union to have access to programmes.
“This isn’t just important for UK business but actually if the European Union wants to succeed in developing a defence sector, it needs countries like Britain and also the United States to be able to participate in these schemes.”
On the impact of no-deal on UK defence procurement, Williamson said: “The Ministry of Defence has conducted extensive planning and preparation to ensure that defence is ready for a range of scenarios, including that of a no-deal EU exit.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel