Displaying items by tag: Brexit

Friday, 16 June 2017 11:29

German media: a soft Brexit ?

Senior figures in Europe have been pondering how the result of Theresa May’s election gamble will affect the Brexit negotiations. The newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung said that the European Commission views the election result as a sign that most Brits don’t desire a ‘hard exit’ from the EU. The European Commissioner, Günther Oettinger, has reportedly said that it may now be possible to discuss ‘closer relations’ between the UK and the EU than Mrs May had originally planned. However Wycombe MP Steve Baker, a committed Christian and one of the most vocal Eurosceptic Tory MPs, was moved in the cabinet reshuffle to an important role in the Brexit department. The choice of Mr Baker is likely to anger those hoping the election result would force Mrs May to adopt a more conciliatory tone on Brexit and drop threats to leave the EU without a trade deal. See also

Published in Europe
Friday, 16 June 2017 11:26

Brexit negotiations: who to pray for

EU institutions playing a significant role in the Brexit negotiations are: a) the European Council,which defines the general political direction and priorities of the EU and consists of the heads of state or government of member states, together with the President of the European Commission. b) the Council of the EU, which represents member states' governments. That is where ministers from EU countries meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies. They play a key role in negotiating and approving EU legislation and international agreements; c) the European Commission, the only institution with the authority to initiate legislation in most areas. It draws on input from a variety of other bodies; d) the European Parliament, comprising 751 MEPs elected by citizens of the 28 member states. Its role is to scrutinise, amend and vote on legislation.

Published in Europe
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Friday, 28 April 2017 02:30

Europe: EU Brexit discussions

Yesterday the EU Brexit negotiation team had ‘constructive’ talks with Theresa May; tomorrow EU leaders will meet to adopt their joint negotiating position on Brexit. Downing Street described their talks as ‘constructive’, after Mrs May’s previous tough stance on key issues of freedom of movement. Also, Angela Merkel has told German MPs that the future EU / UK relationship can only be discussed once the problem of the UK payments to the EU budget has been resolved. Shortly after her speech, The EU trade commissioner stated that the EU will definitely reach a free trade deal with the UK after Brexit. The dates that the two ladies are working towards are: 29 April - EU members (excluding the UK) adopt Brexit negotiating guidelines. 8 June - UK election prior to Brexit talks. 24 September - German parliamentary election, with Mrs Merkel seeking a fourth term. 29 March 2019 - deadline for ending the talks on UK exit terms.

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The Church of England's representative in Parliament has suggested Brexit could resolve 'inconsistencies' in the recent ruling on religious symbols. Last month the European Court said that the banning of any political, philosophical or religious sign in the workplace does not constitute direct discrimination (the test case regarded the wearing of a Muslim veil in Belgium). Caroline Spelman, Conservative MP for Meriden, said the CofE was very concerned by this decision. She said, ‘The ban conflicts with the pre-existing rulings of the Court of Human Rights. Presumably by leaving the European Union, we stand some chance of resolving these inconsistencies.’ Last month, PM Theresa May also questioned the European Court's ruling.

Published in British Isles
Friday, 31 March 2017 11:26

Brexit: repealing EU laws, and UK security

Following Theresa May’s invoking Article 50 this week, the Government has tabled a bill to remove EU law from the statute book. Ministers promise a smooth and stable transition, with legislation ending the supremacy of EU judges. Mrs May said the bill will make the UK an independent, sovereign nation. It will repeal the European Communities Act, which says EU law is superior to the UK's; remove the UK from the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice; and transpose EU legislation into domestic UK law. Negotiations with the EU will include the importance of border controls, intelligence sharing, and the role of European courts in Britain's security. Although the EU's freedom of movement rules colour Britain's ability to police its borders, many are asking, ‘Will Britons be safe, at risk, or see their security largely unchanged once the UK exits from the EU?’ See

Published in British Isles
Friday, 31 March 2017 11:10

EU and Brexit: heads of state

Over the next two years heads of state will be informally discussing and formally negotiating Brexit now that Article 50 has been triggered. ‘The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits.’ (Pr. 16:1-2) May the EU heads of state be guarded and led by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. May all discussions be in His perfect will. Pray particularly for Theresa May to be blessed and anointed by God. May His face shine upon her continually, may He be gracious to her and uphold her in His mighty hands, giving her peace and confidence in the coming months and years.

Published in Europe
Friday, 31 March 2017 11:08

EU and Brexit: key Brexit negotiators

Donald Tusk once warned, ‘UK leaving could cause destruction of not only the EU but Western political civilisation in its entirety’. He now has to keep Europe's leaders united in negotiations. He will also prepare the draft letter to the 27 states that will be the negotiating guidelines and response to Britain’s Article 50 letter. Others involved: Michel Barnier goes head-to-head with David Davis in tough negotiations. Sabine Weyand, his deputy and a formidable veteran at representing the Commission’s best interests, will not give much ground in trade talks. Didier Seeuws will head negotiating, keeping 27 governments happy and shaping EU / UK future relationships: he is modest and obliging, grasping complex technical issues and political stakes. David Davis, UK Brexit Secretary and a champion of civil liberties, helped to negotiate the Brussels agreements which he is now charged with unpicking. Oliver Robbins is a popular senior EU adviser who may put free movement of people at the heart of negotiations. Tim Barrow, UK ambassador to the EU, knows Brussels corridors and people.

Published in Europe
Friday, 17 March 2017 09:54

EU citizens in the UK

EU citizens in Britain are the victims of ‘political games’ and their rights must be the first item in the exit talks, the European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator has said. Guy Verhofstadt called for the fate of those three million EU nationals, and of British ex-pats, to be settled before negotiations on the rumoured £50bn ‘divorce bill’. Mr Verhofstadt said the EU parliament would agree a resolution soon after the Article 50 exit clause is triggered in the next few weeks, which it would expect to guide those talks. Otherwise the parliament could exercise its right to vote down any eventual deal agreed between the UK and the European Commission. ‘We vote no - that is possible,’ he said. MPs recently overturned a Lords’ amendment to the Brexit Bill urging the Prime Minister to give a unilateral guarantee that EU citizens will be able to stay in Britain.

Published in British Isles
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Friday, 24 February 2017 09:09

Northern Ireland, Scotland and Brexit

On 2 March, Northern Ireland will vote for a new Assembly amid much uncertainty. DUP leader Arlene Foster faces criticism for an energy scheme that wasted hundreds of millions of public money. Sinn Fein faces a generation change as Martin McGuinness steps down, and the finance minister describes the Brexit votes as having a calamitous effect on the economy. Some say Brexit could scupper the peace deal. Pray for God’s hand on this election: for truth, integrity, and peace. Scotland voted 62% to remain, believing the single market is vital to jobs and economy. The SNP are deciding whether to call another referendum - their conference is in late March.The UK will trigger Article 50 in mid-March. Pray for the relations between London and Scotland to improve, for leaders to have wisdom and integrity.

Published in British Isles
Friday, 03 February 2017 09:23

PM’s vision for UK’s future

In a keenly-awaited white paper, Brexit secretary David Davis today set out the Government’s negotiating strategy for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Launching the 77-page document in a statement to the House of Commons, Mr Davis said the paper confirmed the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘an independent and truly global United Kingdom’. Confirming that the UK’s strategy would be guided by the twelve principles set out by Mrs May in her Lancaster House speech last month, Mr Davis said the Government was aiming for ‘a new, positive and constructive partnership between Britain and the European Union that works in our mutual interest’. The white paper was published a day after MPs voted overwhelmingly to permit Mrs May to press ahead with starting withdrawal negotiations under Article 50 of the EU treaties.

Published in British Isles