Extraordinary blunder in Downing Street gives glimpse of government's Brexit tactics

Blackleaf

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Oct 9, 2004
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The shape of Theresa May's Brexit negotiation strategy seems to have been revealed after another humiliating document gaffe in Downing Street.

Notes being carried by an aide to a senior Tory MP hint at the government's tactics - suggesting ministers have already given up on staying in the European single market (which means Britain will no longer have to accept free movement of people and EU laws) and will not go for a Norway-style deal.

They indicate that instead the UK is looking at a 'Canada-plus' trade arrangement, and will leave the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice as it does not 'fit' with the PM's determination to curb immigration.

The document also backs up speculation that the government will seek a transitional agreement after we formally quit the EU.

Referring to the ideal 'model' for Brexit, it says: 'Have cake and eat it.'


No single market or Norway-style deal: Extraordinary blunder in Downing Street FINALLY gives a glimpse of the government's Brexit tactics

Notes carried by Tory MP's aide outside No10 were caught by cameras

Mark Field MP had been in the Brexit department for a briefing
Suggests ministers have given up on single market and will not go for Norway-style deal

Hints we are aiming for 'Canada-plus' trade deal and will leave European Court of Justice jurisdiction


By JAMES TAPSFIELD, POLITICAL EDITOR FOR MAILONLINE and TIM SCULTHORPE, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR FOR MAILONLINE
28 November 2016

The shape of Theresa May's Brexit negotiation strategy seems to have been revealed after another humiliating document gaffe in Downing Street.

Notes being carried by an aide to a senior Tory MP hint at the government's tactics - suggesting ministers have already given up on staying in the European single market and will not go for a Norway-style deal.

They indicate that instead the UK is looking at a 'Canada-plus' trade arrangement, and will leave the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice as it does not 'fit' with the PM's determination to curb immigration.

The document also backs up speculation that the government will seek a transitional agreement after we formally quit the EU.

Referring to the ideal 'model' for Brexit, it says: 'Have cake and eat it.'

No 10 tonight dismissed the document. A source said: 'This is not a government document and it does not represent the UK's position in relation to Brexit negotiations.'


An aide to Tory MP Mark Field was photographed carrying notes apparently from a briefing


Mr Field, MP for Cities of London and Westminster, had been in the Brexit Department and then went into Downing Street before heading back towards parliament

The notes were revealed by an aide to Cities of London and Westminster MP Mark Field.

He declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline tonight, instead referring the issue to No10.

The senior backbencher is believed to have been inside No 9 Downing Street - where Brexit Secretary David Davis has an office - for a briefing, before visiting No10 and then heading back towards parliament.

Photographers captured a close up of what appears to be a record of what he had been told while in No 9 - the latest instance of careless wielding of sensitive notes in the famous street.

The handwritten notes say it is 'problematic for EU if we move decisively with no transition'.

Alongside a reference to the EU's chief negotiator Michael Barnier, the notes say: 'We think it’s unlikely we’ll be offered single market. Our criteria are clear – more open the better.'


It is the latest gaffe involving a carelessly exposed document in the famous street

The document suggests the government regards a deal on the manufacturing sector as 'relatively straightforward', but indicates that the financial services sector could be the sticking point.

'Services harder – because French hoping for business,' it says.

In a significant line, the notes state: 'ECJ (European Court of Justice) and control of borders won’t fit.'

The document continues: 'Why no Norway – two elements. No ECJ intervention. We’ve a (obscured) beyond our trade with Europe. Unlikely to do internal market.'

The paper suggests ministers are 'looking at Canadian deal and add to it'.

'French likely to be most difficult. We want successful…' it adds. 'Don’t want instability in Europe. Fearful of us as competitor…'

A GLIMPSE OF BREXIT? WHAT THE HAND SCRIBBLED NOTES SEEN IN DOWNING STREET SAY

The document photographed in Downing Street appears to offer a glimpse into the Brexit strategy. While some of the document is obscured, it appears to say:

'Problematic for EU if we move decisively with no transition.

'Difficult on Article 50 (obscured – interpretation?) – Barnier wants to see what deal looks like first.

Got to be done in parallel – 20 odd negotiations. Keep the two years.

'Won’t provide more details. We think it’s unlikely we’ll be offered single market. Our criteria are clear – (obscured obscured) the better.

'Manufacturing relatively straightforward.

'ECJ and control of borders won’t fit.

'Transitional – loathe to do it. Whitehall will hold on to it. We need to being an end to the negotiation

'Services harder – because French hoping for business

'WD biggest interest is single market.

'Headlines won’t change from now until March though.

'Why no Norway – two elements. No ECJ intervention. We’ve a (obscured) beyond our trade with Europe. Unlikely to do internal market.

'Trade with EU through DEXU not DIT.

'UK exports. Only 11% of our (obscured) exports.'

The document includes a box of separate content. It reads:


'What’s the model? Have cake and eat it.

'Very French negotiating team.

'Need fair process guaranteed – in Dutch interests too.

'Canada plus – more on services

'Europe gets a good deal on security.

'(obscured) EEA model not good'

Below the aide's arm is a further, partially obscured section, which reads:

'Fearful for ECB Be wary of accident (obscured)

'3. Free trade/free movement. Good networks (obscured)

'Industrial and service sectors (obscure) manufacturing…

'Looking at Canadian deal and add to it

'French likely to be most difficult. We want successful…

'Don’t want instability in Europe. Fearful of us as competitor…

(obscured) a Christian Democratic Union. If we have a bad deal, we’ll -'


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MHz

Time Out
Mar 16, 2007
41,030
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Red Deer AB
Nobody will be turned over for war crimes (against Muslims) is the summation if I'm correct.
A growing list of countries that would be guilty if crimes in foreign nations. As an 'act of defensive warfare' no crimes were committed except by the nation that was invaded by spooks first and mercenaries later.

A UK whose Monarchy installed Government is under no rule of law except their own rule. Most Pirates were British trained if that piece of the puzzle is added to the big picture making the flow of the big bucks a bit clearer.

Who gets the contracts to move things around that the UN is doing (under their flag) or is cargo now your exportable business where most of the goods never see the UK as they are black market items destined for places that have money. Normally I would congratulate you on having a 'plan' but in this case it will work out worse for you than when your tries that last time and the Monarchy of the whole of Europe got hooked on heroin but forgot to pay for most of the product they 'acquired'. Like that swimmer 'what's his name'.
 

coldstream

on dbl secret probation
Oct 19, 2005
5,160
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Chillliwack, BC
Well i'm glad the Brits are NOT using Norway as a model.. which is a joke.. and complete capitulation to the EU on sovereignty, control of immigration, open borders, fair trade policies and a national industrial strategy.

The EU is falling apart. There no sense in surrendering any of these key elements to an entity that is likely to be unrecognizable within a decade.