Remainer Heseltine predicts Brussels PUNISHMENT of Britain for Brexit vote
ARCH REMAINER Lord Michael Heseltine said Britain will face the “consequences” of deciding to Brexit because the European Union will not allow the UK a better deal away from the bloc.
Britain will finally be able to begin “exploratory” talks on its future outside the EU after the two sides formalised their Brexit agreement.
Leaders of the remaining 27 members states signed off on a three-page statement allowing the start of transition negotiations.
Both sides also agreed to begin informal negotiations on the long-term trade prospects between the UK and EU.
Lord Heseltine, a staunch Remainer, insisted Britain’s European counterparts will “make sure” the final deal is “less good than what we have at the moment”.
SKY NEWS
The Europeans will make sure the deal that is offered to us at the end is less good than what we have
Speaking to Sky News, Lord Heseltine said: “Have no illusions, the Europeans will tell us what the deal is.
“We’re not in there to do a give-or-take deal, you can already see it. Boris Johnson told them to go whistle and it ended up with about £40bn of our money is going to be paid for the severance costs. The Irish issue – just fudge it, go round the corner, but it doesn’t exist.
“All of that is a change. It’s going to change because the Europeans will make sure the deal that is offered to us at the end is less good than what we have at the moment.”
Theresa May earned the applause of EU leaders after addressing them at a private dinner in Brussels on Thursday evening.
European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said it was because she had made “big efforts” in the Brexit talks to date.
“This has to be recognised,” he said.
Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, suggested it might be possible to conclude a comprehensive trade agreement immediately after Brexit – a clear concession from the Council chief.
Mr Tusk described the target as realistic but, however, “dramatically difficult” to achieve.
Mrs May did not remain in Brussels to hear the outcome of further discussions from the EU 27.
The Prime Minister later issued a statement to declare the Government “well on the road” to delivering her goal of a “smooth and orderly” Brexit.
She will now hold her first Cabinet meeting to discuss Britain’s future relationship with the EU, expected to be at the start of next week.
Concrete proposals aren’t expected to be finalised but ministers will be allowed to outline their contrasting beliefs on how Britain should operate outside the bloc.
