On Monday 22 October, the British Prime Minister addressed the House of Commons in the late afternoon on the results of the European summit on 17 October, which did not lead to a breakthrough on the withdrawal agreement (see EUROPE 12120).
In a heated atmosphere, Ms Theresa May stressed that 95% of the UK withdrawal agreement was achieved, with recent progress on governance and dispute resolution.
But, not surprisingly, she stressed that the Irish issue and the commitment to avoid the return of a physical border between Ireland and Northern Ireland remained the most difficult issues, and still to be resolved.
The leader reiterated her refusal to accept the initial ‘backstop’ proposal for Northern Ireland, which she said would separate the British nation from the rest of the United Kingdom.
She then explained that she had made counter-proposals, including a UK-wide customs partnership, and assured that the EU was "now working actively with us" on this option, triggering some laughter.
On the possibility of an extension of the post-Brexit transition period, Ms May simply suggested that a short extension could be considered after the end of 2020, although she also reiterated that the best solution for her is that the new future relationship with the EU be in place by 1 January 2021.
Rather an extension of the post-Brexit transition period
Confident in the ability of both partners to reach agreement on an orderly exit from the EU for the United Kingdom, Ms May seemed to say that the choice for her country would be between a "short extension of the post-Brexit transition period" and a safety net applicable throughout the United Kingdom.
For her, the extension of the transition period after the end of 2020 would be preferable as it would mean businesses would only have one set of changes in rules at the point of the future relationship between the two partners. But "we would have to be out of this implementation period well before the end of this parliament", she stressed.
According to Reuters, the EU is indeed working more intensively on this safety net option for the whole United Kingdom. Questions exist as to the legality of this option and what should, or can, be included in the withdrawal agreement and what should, or can, be included in the declaration on the future EU/UK relationship.
Before the October European summit, a diplomat had mentioned the limits of Article 50 of the Treaty, activated by London for its exit from the EU.
The Europeans, for their part, want a safety net in the withdrawal agreement. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)