LONDON, Aug 4 (NNN-BSS) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s
government has urged EU leaders again to drop their opposition to
renegotiating the terms of Brexit, claiming recent European elections
required a change of approach.
Johnson, who took office late last month, says he wants to leave the
European Union with a deal but insists the current terms are unacceptable and
if necessary Britain will exit on October 31 with no agreement at all.
In an article in the Mail on Sunday newspaper, Johnson’s Brexit Secretary
Steve Barclay said European Parliament elections in May had changed the
political dynamic and urged EU leaders to amend the mandate of their chief
negotiator, Michel Barnier.
“The political realities have changed since Mr Barnier’s instructions were
set,” Barclay wrote.
“Since the last mandate was agreed, 61 percent of all the EU states’ MEPs
have changed. Such a fundamental shift illustrates the need for a change of
approach.
“Mr Barnier needs to urge EU leaders to consider this if they too want an
agreement, to enable him to negotiate in a way that finds common ground with
the UK.
“Otherwise, no deal is coming down the tracks.”
Former prime minister Theresa May quit after delaying Brexit twice while
she tried unsuccessfully to get the divorce terms she struck with Brussels
through the British parliament.
But the EU has refused to reopen the deal, the result of 17 months of tough
negotiations.
Johnson has ramped up preparations for leaving without any agreement.
However, some British lawmakers have vowed to stop him, fearing the
economic consequences of severing ties with Britain’s closest trading partner overnight.
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