Monday, 20 May 2024

Irish PM Leo Varadkar sparks anger by claiming the British people want a second Brexit referendum as he rejects the Boris' deal

IRISH PM Leo Varadkar has sparked fury by claiming the British people want a SECOND Brexit referendum – as he rejected Boris Johnson’s deal.

Mr Varadkar blasted the PM’s five-point plan to break the deadlock and said it “falls short on a number of aspects”.



EU WHAT?!

The Taoiseach’s comments come after Mr Johnson told the Commons he believed his efforts had made a “genuine attempt to bridge the chasm” between No10 and the EU.

Addressing the House, Boris said "we're ready" to leave the bloc and it was his deal or no deal – much to the anger of Jeremy Corbyn and Remainer MPs.

But despite the PM's optimism, Mr Varadkar has dismissed his plans and seemingly called for a second Brexit vote.

Addressing reporters on a trip to Sweden, he said: “All the polls since Prime Minister Johnson became prime minister suggest that's what the British people actually want, but their political system isn't able to give them that choice.”

Mr Varadkar’s deputy Simon Coveney slammed Mr Johnson’s proposals and said they did not form the basis for a Brexit deal.

Boris’ document asserts that Northern Ireland should leave the EU’s customs union alongside the rest of the UK at the start of 2021.

All the polls since Prime Minister Johnson became prime minister suggest that's what the British people actually want, but their political system isn't able to give them that choice.

But it will continue to follow Brussels rules on goods, as well as food and livestock.

Mr Coveney said: "If that is the final proposal, there will be no deal, there are a number of fundamental problems with that proposal.”

The Taoiseach's blast has infuriated Brexiteers with Tory MP Peter Bone calling the comments “extraordinary” and “meddling”.

Mr Bone told MailOnline: “We had a once in a lifetime referendum and there was a very clear majority for leaving the EU.

“What is even more strange is this is on the day that the Prime Minister came to the House of Commons with a very generous deal to the EU and particularly to Ireland.”

We are democrats in the UK and we have never ignored a result of a referendum unlike other EU countries including Ireland.

Tory MP Nigel Evans said: “The British people voted to leave the EU. We are democrats in the UK and we have never ignored a result of a referendum unlike other EU countries including Ireland.”

But Mr Varadkar has been supported by Brussels as Donald Tusk said he was “unconvinced” by Mr Johnson’s plans.

Mr Tusk, European Council President, tweeted: “Today I had two phone calls on Brexit, first with Dublin then with London.

“My message to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar : We stand fully behind Ireland.

“My message to PM Boris Johnson : We remain open but still unconvinced.”

COMMONS SHOWDOWN

As well as Dublin and Brussels, Mr Johnson must now work to convince MPs that his plan is the right Brexit option.

In order to secure a Commons majority he needs to win over the DUP, Tory Brexiteers and Labour Eurosceptics if he has any chance of pushing his proposal over the line.

Laying out his plan to MPs today, he said: "This government has moved.

“Our proposals do represent a comprise and I hope the House can come together in the national interest behind this new deal and open a new chapter of friendship with our European partners.

“Let us seize this moment to honour our promise to British people, respect Brexit and get Brexit done.”

But Mr Corbyn blasted the proposals as a “rehash” of previous Brexit proposals and said Mr Johnson was leading Britain into a “race to the bottom”.

Let us seize this moment to honour our promise to British people, respect Brexit and get Brexit done.

The Labour boss added: “Deal or no deal this government’s agenda is clear – they want a Trump deal Brexit that would crash our economy."

However, the Mr Johnson was offered a boost when leading Tory Brexiteer Mark Francois spoke out in support of his new agreement.

The PM will need the support of Conservative Eurosceptic group the ERG, of which Mr Francois is deputy chair, if he wants to get his deal through the Commons.

Boris adopted a constructive tone during today’s proceedings in direct reaction to the storm created by the storm caused by his “humbug” comment in the Commons last week.

Deal or no deal this government’s agenda is clear – they want a trump deal Brexit that would crash our economy.

In response he also told opposition MPs that he was “concerned” by their aggressive tone when grilling him over Brexit.

Mr Johnson was also keen to show the House his efforts to take a constructive tone with Brussels.

He his deal would "bridge the chasm" between the two sides and the government would "go the extra mile" to get Brexit done.

The change of tack from Boris comes after the PM was rebuked for his constant use of the term “surrender bill” to describe the Brexit-blocking Benn Act, last week.

Labour MP Paula Sheriff later clashed with Mr Johnson after she suggested that his “offensive and dangerous language” could lead to attacks on politicians and pointed to a plaque of murdered MP Jo Cox.

The PM described the comment as “humbug” – causing widespread outrage – but later apologised.

CRUNCH CABINET

Mr Johnson appeared in the Commons after holding a crunch Cabinet meeting this morning.

The PM dragged his ministers in for an emergency meeting while EU chiefs pick apart his new Brexit plan.

Mr Johnson described his five-point proposal as a “fair and reasonable compromise” during the Tory party conference in Manchester yesterday.

Boris hopes to now pull together a majority of MPs to back his Brexit proposals.

So far the PM believes he could get the support of the DUP, Tory Brexiteers and Labour Eurosceptics which could be enough to get his plan over the line.

FIVE-POINT PLAN

Murmurs from No10 suggest the PM could jet off to Brussels for a whistle-stop tour of EU capitals, the Daily Mail reports.

This would start with a trip to German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.

Boris’ main priority in the coming days will be to persuade EU chiefs that his deal is the right option to break the Brexit deadlock over the Northern Irish backstop.

Mr Varadkar is one of the leaders that will take the most convincing.

The Taoiseach said: “What we are hearing is not encouraging and would not be the basis for agreement.”

Mr Johnson’s five points, set out in a letter to the EU, are:

  • A promise to find a solution that is compatible with the Good Friday Agreement;
  • A commitment to UK-Ireland collaboration, ensuring free travel between the two;
  • EU rules for goods and agrifood followed in Northern Ireland.
  • A vote for Northern Ireland to sign off the deal by June 2020 — and others to confirm it every four years;
  • A single UK customs zone covers Northern Ireland. Customs checks will take place away from the border.

The PM used his first conference speech as party leader to tee up his ideas.

But he again asserted that Britain would leave the EU on October 31 “come what may”.

Mr Johnson also bluntly declared “the alternative is No Deal”.

He told the conference: “That is not an outcome we want.

"It is not an outcome we seek at all. But let me tell you this conference, it is an outcome for which we are ready.”

10BORIS Johnson has laid out his Brexit deal to the Commons and warned Remainers it's his deal or no deal.

Parly out five days

BORIS Johnson said last night he will suspend Parliament next Tuesday to pave the way for the Queen’s Speech six days later.

The PM needs to shut down Parliament to set out his legislative program.

Mr Johnson said he was sticking with plans to hold the Queen’s Speech on October 14, meaning MPs won’t sit from October 9 to then.







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