[ad_1]
When British ministers arrived at the Cabinet meeting at Checkers on Friday morning, the business cards of a local taxi company were in the foyer. The country residence of the British Prime Minister is only accessible by car, as the nearest train station is a 40-minute walk away. If a minister had to resign during the session and had to give up his company car with immediate effect, he would need a taxi for the return trip.
In Theresa May's office, threats of resignation are part of everyday life. Before the meeting at Checkers, however, the atmosphere was even hotter, the cracks between the different camps even deeper. He threatened a real rebellion – the "Abs Day" in the rural mansion became the day of fate for the May government.
First, there is a white paper to clarify the government's position on the big Brexit issues. Taken between Brexit extremists such as Foreign Minister Boris Johnson and the moderates, who want a close and continuous relationship with the EU, May has opted for a "third way" that will pacify both sides. If she managed to convince the whole Cabinet of the White Paper, she would not have spared her government any less.
But it's easier said than done. The new Brexit White Paper, which answers questions about the Irish border, the customs union and regulatory alignment, will not be published until next week. As the first days have been leaked over the past few days, but has caused indignation among the hardliners. Above all, the clear intention to continue to comply with the European Food and Agriculture Regulation through a "common set of rules" was unacceptable to many Brexiters because, in their view, this would make it more difficult for a bilateral trade agreement with the US.
"That would make us a vbadal state," said ultra-conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, one of the most prominent advocates of a tough course on Brexit. On Monday, he warned of a last crack in the party, which some have understood as an open threat to overthrow May and their government by a vote of confidence. Rees-Mogg should "shut up," said his pro-European colleague Nicholas Soames. The crack in the party has long been the reality.
This is the insoluble task of the prime minister, with whom she has been facing for two years. It must reconcile two opposing positions while satisfying the requirements of these camps. On the one hand, it is under pressure from the Rees-Moggs of the world, on the other hand by the economy and the pro-Europeans. This week, big companies like Airbus, Jaguar and Rolls Royce have again turned against a difficult Brexit. Two weeks ago, tens of thousands of people demonstrated in London and demanded a second vote. The Prime Minister can only stay in power by making a tightrope between the two sides. But she does not have much time left. This week, Angela Merkel recalled at a May meeting in Berlin that future relations between the UK and the EU should be resolved by October.
The way in which the EU supports the White Paper is still unclear
The third way allows Cabinet to make the decisions of the government. However, it is still unclear whether the EU will be satisfied with the positions in the White Paper. In parallel with the cabinet meeting in Checkers, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier delivered a speech in Brussels in which he agreed to be more flexible if the British released their red lines to the market. unique and other issues.
The tough Brexit in the May Cabinet are fighting for these red lines. Prior to the Checkers meeting, a group of euro-skeptical Cabinet members met with Boris Johnson in the State Department Thursday night to discuss their strategy. Friday, the prime concern of the prime minister was the signature of all – that no one should resign and bring everyone home with the company car. Holden Kit
Source link
