May unveils future deal, settles everything (not really)

Another day, another statement by Theresa May outside Number 10 Downing Street. But this time it was – from the Prime Minister’s perspective – good news. She announced that the UK and the European Commission have agreed the text of a political declaration on the future relationship between the UK and the EU. It follows a meeting in Brussels last night between May and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.

This morning May informed the cabinet about the content of the declaration over the phone – which seems sensible as every time the cabinet meets lately it seems to trigger a slew of resignations.

The declaration, which is just 26 pages long and not legally binding, is separate but related to the 580-page withdrawal agreement published last week. It sets out a broad vision for the post-Brexit relationship between the UK and the EU.

May was bullish about the agreement. She said: “This is the right deal for the UK. It delivers on the vote of the referendum, it brings back control of our borders, our money and our laws and it does so while protecting jobs, protecting our security and protecting the integrity of the United Kingdom.”

The text contains specific reference to ending free movement, a commitment to seek a technological solution to the Irish border (in place of the backstop) and an emphasis on the continuing role of the European Court of Justice in the interpretation of EU law. The latter may upset Brexiteers, and any mention of the border seems to upset everyone. But, allowing for everything going to plan, the declaration will be used as a basis for a trade agreement to be negotiated during the transition period – which kicks in after 29th March.

Rounding off her statement, May echoed her sentiments of last week: “The British people want this to be settled. They want a good deal that sets us on course for a brighter future. That deal is within our grasp, and I am determined to deliver it.”

Determined she may be, but the hard Brexiteers are not making the process easy. It is still unlikely she will get the withdrawal agreement through parliament, and that is not even to mention the eurosceptic European Research Group’s attempted ousting. Could the declaration trigger more letters of no-confidence?

May is presenting the agreement to the House of Commons this afternoon, and then the remaining 27 EU nations will examine it on 25th November.