Barnier slams UK stance, says Britain ‘not seeking a clean break from EU at all

Michel Barnier has propelled another rankling assault on the UK’s post-Brexit position, going farther than expected in illustrating how in his view the British government is looking to have its cake and eat it. 

The EU’s central moderator blamed the UK for neglecting to connect productively in chats on the future relationship, in perhaps the starkest admonition yet on the absence of progress towards an arrangement. 

The post-Brexit progress period lapses on December 31, proclaiming significant changes when the UK – which officially left the EU last January – leaves the Single Market and Customs Union. In any case, progress over the mid year in chats on exchange and future ties has been horrendously moderate. 

UK looking for ‘congruity’ not a ‘total separation’ 

Barnier blamed the British for neglecting to give ensures that future rivalry would be on a “reasonable balance”, as spelt out in the Political Declaration – the non-restricting aspect of the separation bargain concurred by the two sides and which shapes the reason for chats on the future relationship. 

He additionally asserted that regardless of the UK’s longing for freedom from the EU, by and by it was looking for business as usual, however without commitments. 

“We know well the UK’s contention: you need a total separation from the EU, you need full power and the opportunity to set its own guidelines and go through its own cash as it needs, without any requirements from Europe,” Barnier said. 

“But then actually British arbitrators are as yet looking for progression in numerous regions, not a ‘total separation’ by any stretch of the imagination,” he included. 

“The UK government is as yet hoping to keep the advantages of the EU and of the Single Market without the commitments,” he continued, singling out vehicle, vitality exchanging, norms for merchandise, and participation on police and legal issues.