The Chequers Brexit Proposal. What is the EU’s reaction?

It’s the morning of Wednesday 11 July as I write 

Theresa May presented the Chequers Brexit Proposal to Parliament on Monday afternoon, and yesterday was chance for reaction.  So let’s summarise:
  • The proposal is a soft Brexit as the UK cannot afford the cost and disruption of a hard Brexit
  • The proposal is the best the UK could achieve whilst supporting business, and so was accepted by the Cabinet.
  • It’s a “jobs first” Brexit proposal, snookering Labour’s approach (in principle even though they have no plans in detail)
  • The proposal nonetheless requires the UK to become a “vassal” state, leading to Brexiters like Boris Johnson saying the UK would become a colony.  Remainers agree.
  • Various Brexiters have resigned, notably the two most senior in David Davis and Boris Johnson
  • But there are not the number of rebels prepared to risk a general election to challenge May for the leadership
  • The proposal is cherry picking, so will be unacceptable to the EU
In other words:
  • The Chequers proposal is unacceptable to Brexiters
  • It is unacceptable to anyone else unprepared to let UK become a vassal state
  • It will be unacceptable to the EU
  • Brexiters have been beaten
So why?  It is merely a stepping stone to Article 50 withdrawal.  I beleive it is part of a plan Theresa May embarked upon in June/July 2016 to stop Brexit whilst consigning Brexiters to obscurity for generations.


NEXT STEPS

But there needs to be two next stpes before Article 50 withdrawal becomes a formaility
  1. Referendum needs to be declared void.  Today a fine on Cambridge Analytics was announced.  The Electoral Commisssion has suggested the criminality of the official Vote Leave campaign. Declaring the Referendum void is now a step closer
  2. The EU needs to reject the Chequers proposal

SO WHAT IS THE EU’S REACTION?

Michel Barnier, Chief Negotiator for the EU, has simply tweeted this on the day the Chequers meeting took place.  Nothing since:
“#Chequers discussion on future to be welcomed. I look forward to White Paper. We will assess proposals to see if they are workable & realistic in view of #EUCO guidelines. Next negotiations w/ #UK on WP, & Withdrawal Agreement, w/c 16 July #Brexit ”

Donald Tusk, EU Commission President, has left the door open for Article 50 withdrawal with his reaction to the resignations on Monday
“Politicians come and go but the problems they have created for people remain. I can only regret that the idea of #Brexit has not left with Davis and Johnson. But...who knows? ”

If you have seen feedback from anyone else in the EU, do add a comment.

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