House of Commons Votes for Deal

AYES 521
NOES 73

Barnier To Make Brexit Announcement Today

Barnier is to make a Brexit announcement at 15:00 GMT today.

Perversely people are viewing this positively, even though it comes after reports the EU has rejected Boris Johnson's new compromise on fishing arrangements.

The Talks Continue and The Blockade is Being Lifted

 

Despite all the posturing and shouting from both the EU and UK, and the added bonus of a French blockade (which is being lifted later today, the Brexit talks are continuing.

Expect the talks to go on until 31 December, when either a deal will be announced or the EU and UK say that they couldn't reach a deal (thus avoiding the headline that someone walked away).

Find The Fish

 

What's the main hurdle? Fish
Barnier has doubled down in front of MEPs
Demanding demanding 8 year transition with fishing quotas remaining more or less unchanged
If UK then cuts quotas in annual negotiations - especially in the 12 nautical mile zone then it is trade sanctions pic.twitter.com/Ahh6ankrbg

— Bruno Waterfield (@BrunoBrussels) December 18, 2020

Beware being distracted by the very public and vocal shouting from both sides about fish!

Tunnel Time!

 

 

Home Sec Patel says Brexit talks are in the tunnel

— Michael Brown (@MrMBrown) December 17, 2020

The Path To a Deal - Or The Road To Nowhere?

 

Von der Leyen full comments on progress in Brexit talks: pic.twitter.com/BZtpx7OXvK

— Jon Stone (@joncstone) December 16, 2020

Deal On?

 

Is Deal on? https://t.co/J14UFQVXBH

— Ken Frost (@ken_frost) December 15, 2020

Hasn't It Gone Quiet?

 

via Gfycat

31 December - The Real Deadline

Unsurprisingly Boris and Ursula agreed on Sunday not to pull the plug on the talks.

The talks continute. However, for once, there has been no mention of a deadline (which of course would not be kept).

That being said, there is one deadline set in stone, and that is the 31st of December. That being said, if there was an embryonic deal in the making, that deadline could be stretched to ensure that tariffs etc were not automatically activated on 1 January 2021!

EU Diplomat chattering away...

- Might now be narrow path to deal
- Some progress in last few days, but still gaps, sometimes substantial
- Gaps need to be bridged in next few days
- Success/not of talks depends on whether London prepared to accept trade-offs pic.twitter.com/zBsiXkDQbp

— Michael Brown (@MrMBrown) December 14, 2020

New Beginnings For Old Friends - With a Hint of Compromise

 

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Brexit: 'Positions remain apart on fundamental issues. On the Level Playing Field we have repeatedly made clear to our UK partners that the principle of fair competition is a precondition to privileged access to the EU market.'

— Nick Gutteridge (@nickgutteridge) December 11, 2020

Sunday is The New "Deadline"

Negotiations are still ongoing but the end of the transition is near. There is no guarantee that if & when an agreement is found it can enter into force on time. We have to be prepared including for not having a deal in place on 1 January. Today we present contingency measures ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/FQ4Urn9YUC

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 10, 2020

Last night's dinner went on for three hours. No breakthrough nor a breakdown.

The negotiators will continue talking until Sunday. However, unless they have been given new wiggle room/instructions, these will go nowhere!

7.30 for 8 CET - Smart Casual

 

Johnson-Von der Leyen dinner tonight due to start at 7pm UK time in Brussels

— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) December 9, 2020

Northern Ireland Protocols Sorted

 

BREAK: The UK drops all its 'law breaking' clauses - including plans for more in forthcoming taxation bill - after @michaelgove
and @MarosSefcovic agree deal on terms of implementing Northern Irish Protocol. 1/https://t.co/MdBbcI8vjd pic.twitter.com/3yKwtu3jzO

— Peter Foster (@pmdfoster) December 8, 2020

Boris To Go To Brussels - The Stumps To Be Pulled?

 

Boris will go to Brussels this week for a final attempt to reach a deal with the EU. 

It is assumed that he will either go on Wednesday or Friday. However, no firm date has yet been fixed.

A deal is not looking that likely.

Hanging on The Telephone

 

Key event is the call expected btw PM and EU chief Ursula VD Leyen later

— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) December 7, 2020

Barnier Starts His Important Day at 10.30AM

 

'BREXIT: EU'S BARNIER SAYS "IMPORTANT DAY. DETERMINATION" AS HE LEAVES LONDON HOTEL

— Michael Brown (@MrMBrown) December 4, 2020

The Final Days of Negotiations

 

Leader of the House says Internal Markets bill back in the Commons on Monday - that really puts the pressure on Brexit negotiators to get it wrapped up in next couple of days

— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) December 3, 2020

Brexit Talks Hit Snafu

 

QUOTE OF THE DAY from the organiser of the Brussels gang bang sex party...

“Suddenly my whole living room was full of cops”

"They immediately started shouting. 'Id card! Now!' But we weren't even wearing underpants, how the hell could we quickly pull out our ID cards?"

— Darren McCaffrey (@DarrenEuronews) December 2, 2020