As a split in the Conservative Party finally threatens for real, May must explain why and when she backed off mutual recognition.
Plus “due regard paid to EU case law in areas where the UK continues to apply a common rulebook”.
A Brexit in the hand is worth two in the bush. None the less, the Commons will have to vote her proposals down, if the EU banks them but offers no proper deal in return.
Within EFTA, there are already two models of relationship with the EU – the EEA and the Swiss model. There is no reason why there could not be a third.
Since she might not get an acceptable agreement, or indeed any at all, the Government must strain to get Ready for Day One, not Ready for Day 730.
We are being nudged towards Norway Minus rather than Canada Plus Plus Plus almost without anyone noticing.
The attempt by some Remainers to frame the negotiation as ‘how can we achieve the closest possible relationship with the EU?’ is disingenuous, and should be strongly rebutted.
The only obligation of an MP is to exercise their best judgement. If they believe it is in the national interest to withdraw Article 50 so we can stay in the EU they should make that decision.
“I’m not saying that there would be an organised push, but the letters would just go in to Graham Brady,” one senior pro-Leave backbencher told this site yesterday.
At each turn to date, they have decided that the best shouldn’t be the enemy of the good. Which suggests that they won’t vote against any heads of agreement – however imperfect.
Either a new dispute resolution mechanism will be required, or the UK could dock into part of the EFTA court to resolve disputes over goods.