Jim Nicholson MEP has welcomed the Prime Minister’s strong stance on protecting the integrity of the United Kingdom in Brexit negotiations.

Jim Nicholson MEP said:

“It was welcome to hear the Prime Minister say that the European Commission’s draft withdrawal agreement is unacceptable.  The constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom is not up for negotiation.  It was equally welcome to hear her comments that it is not up to the United Kingdom alone to find a solution for the border with the Republic of Ireland.

“We need to see pragmatism, not sabre rattling.  The fact that the UK Government is now going to work with the Irish Government and European Commission to thrash out an acceptable solution in relation to the border is progress. 

“The Prime Minister suggested a number of arrangements that could be put in place to prevent a hard border post-Brexit.  The Irish Government and EU Commission cannot just dismiss proposals out of hand and with disdain.  It is clear that the Commission feels a certain amount of ill-will towards the UK for daring to leave the EU.  However, it will benefit no one for them to continue to approach these negotiations like a petulant child.      

“In highlighting the strong economic and other linkages that have developed through our membership of the European Union the Prime Minister has made a compelling case for why existing models of economic partnership will not be appropriate when the UK leaves the EU.  The UK’s exit from the EU is an unprecedented event, and the arrangements put in place will need to reflect this.

“It is in the interest of both the EU27 and the UK that we agree a deep and bespoke economic partnership for the future and the European Commission must reflect this reality in the negotiations.”