News   /   Politics   /   Reports

EU pours cold water on Johnson's Brexit plan

A video grab from footage broadcast by the UK Parliament's Parliamentary Recording Unit (PRU) shows Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaking about the government's proposed Brexit deal in the House of Commons in central London on October 3, 2019. (Photo by AFP)

Jerome Hughes
Press TV, Brussels

The final negotiating offer that is how Boris Johnson describes the Brexit proposals has been sent to the European Commission. UK Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has suggested the ball is now in the EU's court. 

The big problem the EU and the government in Dublin have with Johnson's proposals relates to the likely need for customs checks in Ireland which would not meet the aim of an invisible border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland, a key element of the 1998 Good Friday Peace Agreement. 

The Brexit Steering Group in the European Parliament has reacted negatively to the UK Government's latest proposals. Johnson continues to insist the United Kingdom will leave the EU on the October 31 deal or no deal.

But under British law he cannot crash Britain out of the EU at the end of this month without a deal and many analysts are saying there simply isn't enough time now to get a deal, and therefore the most likely outcome is a further delay to Brexit despite what Johnson is currently saying that the delay is most likely until April. 

Some political commentators are saying Johnson's plan is in fact designed to fail and that his number one priority is to win a general election. Much more clarity surrounding the chaotic Brexit process is likely in two week's time when EU leaders hold a summit here in the Belgian capital.


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Press TV News Roku