Evaluation of UK’s international obligations
Following the UN Human Rights Council’s universal periodic review of the UK, the Law Society of England and Wales has stated that Britain risks its reputation for fairness and integrity if it disregards international human rights standards.
UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU
The House of Lords EU Select Committee has launched an enquiry considering the key components of any transition deal, as well as the implications of a ‘no-deal’ scenario.
The Telegraph reports that the Brexit rift between Boris Johnson and Philip Hammond has deepened, with the Chancellor warning that the Brexit transition period may need to be extended until after the next election. Meanwhile Boris Johnson has demanded a series of Brexit assurances, including that Britain does not adopt any new EU rules and regulations after it formally leaves in March 2019, showing the fractures in the fragile Cabinet truce over Theresa May’s transition plan.
Brussels has rejected the UK’s calls for speedy talks on the transition deal, though following Theresa May’s Florence speech, British negotiators are aiming to translate the constructive approach into a breakthrough in this round of talks.
Politico reports that the European Parliament is preparing a draft resolution that is critical of progress in the Brexit negotiations, particularly on the rights of EU citizens living in the UK, according to three official familiar with the text.
According to analysis by UKTPO, as negotiating a bespoke transitional deal will be almost as complex as negotiating full Brexit the only practical approach is to remain within the EU for the transitional period, effectively extending the period of Art 50.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has stated at the launch of the Institute for Free Trade think-tank, a free trade think-tank in challenge to senior Remainers, that implementation period should be kept short, so Britain can strike new trade deals, in defiance of Theresa May’s Brexit strategy.
Prompted by Theresa May’s Florence speech, the House of Lords EU Select Committee is reportedly to examine the legal basis for, and potential costs to the UK of, a time-limited Brexit transitional period.
Following the end of the fourth round of talks, though Barnier has praised that ‘new dynamic’ brought by Theresa May’s speech, he has warned that obstacles remain. Meanwhile the European Parliament’s draft resolution states that the progress on the EU priorities on divorce terms has not been sufficient so far, with the EU’s chief negotiator warning that Brexit talks could take months to progress into the next phase and Juncker ruling out any chance that EU leaders will decide next month to unlock the next stage of the Brexit talks.
In a speech, Theresa May has warned against creating ‘needless’ barriers to trade with the EU, but has recognised that the UK cannot keep the benefits of the single market without its obligations.
The Financial Times has reported that around twenty civil servants are set to leave the Brexit department and follow Oliver Robbins to the new Cabinet Office unit.
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