The dreaded scenario took place in Great Britain and in the utmost secrecy brought together Conservatives and Labor in an extraordinary summit to discuss a way out of Brexit and its obvious failure. The war in Ukraine, in China and the impossibility of exporting from the kingdom led to this unusual meeting.
In the imposing building in Ditchley Park in Oxfordshire, run by Tory minister Michael Gove, Conservative and Labor leaders debated Thursday afternoon and evening and throughout Friday, with absolute discretion but great concern, the failures of Brexit, the Northern Ireland protocol that hinders it and how to get closer to Europe and be able to recover lost trade. All in the name of the “national interest”.
It was chaired by a specialist: the former Labor “spin doctor” Peter Mandelson, creator of New Labor with Gordon Brown, and European Commissioner for Trade. He was joined by the leader BrexitierConservative minister Michael Gove, who governs that mansion, and senior members of the shadow Labor cabinet of Keir Starmer, the former crown lawyer and likely Britain’s next prime minister if there is a snap election.
The two-day gathering of some of the country’s top Labor and Conservative politicians from both sides of the Brexit debate was attended by diplomats, defense experts and the heads of some of Britain’s biggest companies and banks.
A source familiar with the summit told the British Sunday newspaper The observer: “The main goal was to show that Britain is losing, that Brexit doesn’t work. Our economy is in a weak position.”
How to negotiate with the European Union
Documents from the meeting have been obtained since Sunday. They describe it as a “private discussion”, entitled: “How can we make Brexit work better with our neighbors in Europe?”
Participants on the pro-Brexit side included former Tory party leader Michael Howard, former Tory chancellor Norman Lamont and former Labor minister for Europe Gisela Stuart, one of the leading figures in the exit campaign.
Prominent politicians in attendance included Labour’s shadow foreign secretary David Lammy, shadow defense secretary John Healey and former European commissioner and Labour’s cabinet minister Peter Mandelson, who served as chairman. From the Tory Conservative camp, former cabinet minister and longtime Europe minister David Lidington attended.
Non-political attendees included John Symonds, president of the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline; Oliver Robbins, managing director of Goldman Sachs and former chief Brexit negotiator for the government from 2017 to 2019; Tom Scholar, former Permanent Secretary of the Treasury; and Angus Lapsley, NATO Deputy Secretary General for Defense Policy and Planning.
Britain ‘is losing’
A confidential introductory statement for those who attended the meeting acknowledged that there was now a view among “at least some, that the UK has not yet found its way out of the EU” with Brexit acting as a brake to our growth and inhibits the UK’s potential.
A source who was present said it was a “constructive meeting”, addressing the issues and opportunities of Brexit. But that largely focused on economic disadvantage of the UK economy, at a time of global instability and rising energy prices.
A source explained that “it was about moving past the leave and stay debate and seeing what issues we now face. And how can we be best placed to have a conversation with the EU about changes in UK-EU trade and cooperation.”
Gove, who co-led the Vote Leave campaign in 2016 with Boris Johnson and Stuart, contributed regularly to the conference, including opening an informal conversation on Thursday evening. One attendee said he was very “honest” about the The shortcomings of Brexit. Still believing it would be the right decision in the long run.
In terms that already infuriate fervent Conservatives of the kingdom’s divorce from the European Union, the summit documents say that while there was “little interest on the European side to discuss Brexit further and little time spent engaging with the UK, there is also clear participation from both European and British.” And they noted that with the war in Ukraine at stake, there is a strategic interest in a closer and more productive relationship.”
Common interest
Stating that “re-entry to the EU will not be on the agenda”, the summit documents stressed that the EU and the UK “have shared interests on containing Russian aggression, developing new energy sources and building large technology companies with their capital base on our side of the Atlantic, rather than just in the United States”, as well as common defense interests.
He also raised questions about forging closer ties with the EU to address organized crime, illegal immigration and defence, and the possibility of a joint EU-UK policy towards China, asking: “What are the prospects for a fully coordinated policy to address it?”
The unresolved issue of the Northern Ireland protocol, which is the main UK-related issue currently employing EU officials in Brussels, was also a focus of the talks.
Damage to the economy and trade
The highly unusual and cross-party nature of the meeting of Brexit opponents, and the seniority of those who agreed to attend, reflects a growing acceptance among politicians from Britain’s two main parties, as well as business leaders and civil servants. the current form is hurting the UK economy e reducing its strategic influence in the world.
There is growing concern at the top Labor Party levels that they pose a real threat to the success of any future Labor government unless issues such as rising trade frictions can be addressed.
Calling for a cross-party consensus on Brexit, the summit documents referred to the need to move from “the current mix of antagonism and nostalgia to enthusiasm for what the future could bring to the UK and Europe”.
They also said that finding solutions was even more urgent due to “global unrest, fragile supply chains and inflation”.
For those like Gove, who fought to leave the EU, there is also a clear interest in ensuring that Brexit is not seen as a long-term failure, even if that means admitting that closer engagement with the EU.
bombshell
The secret meeting raised alarm among pro-Brexitier Conservatives, who have begun to plead with the Tory party to halt any move and are calling for a triumphant return of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson to the forefront. Outside of politics he has already earned £5m from his tuition.
Former British Brexit negotiator David Frost has urged the UK to ‘accept’ Brexit and warned of a plot to derail the deal.
Lord Frost said: “Brexit doesn’t need ‘fixing’. It needs this Conservative government, elected with a huge mandate on a Brexit agenda, to accept its benefits fully and enthusiastically, rather than give way to those who never wanted it.”
Prominent Brexit supporters have criticized leading Conservative figures since the observer revealed that he attended a private cross-party summit titled: “How can we make Brexit work better with our neighbors in Europe?”
John Redwood, the prominent pro-Brexit Conservative MP, and Nigel Farage, former leader of the UK Independence Party, criticized summit attendees at the Ditchley Park retreat in Oxfordshire, including Cabinet minister Michael gove.
Redwood tweeted: “Instead of talking about selling out at private conferences, the UK establishment must complete Brexit and use their freedoms.”
Meanwhile, Farage said: “The Brexit sellout has begun. This Tory party has never believed it.”
Gove did not comment on the talks. Though a source said he attended as governor of Ditchley, where he was held.
The Northern Ireland Protocol
Those involved have spoken at length about the Northern Ireland protocol, which is under discussion between UK and EU officials.
The British government hopes to reach an agreement to cancel the protocol, which regulates trade across the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, within weeks.
Ministers in London presented legislation that would allow the UK to unilaterally cancel the protocol, although it has been shelved as talks with the EU continue.
Redwood tweeted: “Pass NI Protocol bill to make NI part of UK and regain full control of our fish to boot.”
Both Labor and Conservatives are committed to keeping Britain out of the EU. Both say the country will also remain outside the single market.
However, members of both sides have spoken out how they can mend relations with the EUeven outside these institutions.
Brussels said last week that the door is open for a British return when they wish. But they will have to accept the European institutions and the freedom of movement of people, which Brexit nullified.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called on his top ministers to come up with plans to rebuild ties with EU countries after years of tough trade.
B. C
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.