Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster
The head of the Northern Irish party that props up British Prime Minister Theresa May's government said on Saturday she would prefer no Brexit deal to a bad deal, describing current plans as amounting to "the annexation of Northern Ireland" by the EU.
British and European Union negotiators this month have accelerated the push for a Brexit deal but talks remain snagged on the issue of the border between Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK, and the Irish Republic, an EU member state.
In the absence of a comprehensive EU-UK trade partnership after Brexit, the EU is seeking a "backstop" arrangement whereby Northern Ireland would effectively remain subject to the bloc's regulations to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland.
But the DUP, whose support May needs to pass legislation in the British parliament, vehemently opposes any proposals under which the province would be treated differently to the rest of the UK.
"I fully appreciate the risks of a 'no deal' (Brexit) but the dangers of a bad deal are worse," Foster wrote in an article in the Belfast Telegraph published on Saturday.
"This backstop arrangement would not be temporary. It would be the permanent annexation of Northern Ireland away from the rest of the United Kingdom and forever leave us subject to rules made in a place where we have no say," she added.
Britain wants any 'backstop' arrangement to be time-limited. Hardline supporters of Brexit in May's ruling Conservative Party fear it could be used to keep the whole UK inside a customs union indefinitely with the EU.
The EU is opposed to any specific cut-off date.
The European Union's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Wednesday called for "decisive progress" in negotiations with Britain in time for a summit of all 28 EU nation leaders next week.Brexit negotiators from both sides have been locked in intense discussions this week, trying to overcome differences on the biggest outstanding hurdle to a Brexit deal - how to keep the Ireland-UK border open after Britain leaves the bloc in March.Speaking after Barnier briefed the executive European Commission, spokesman Margaritis Schinas told a news conference: "He recalled that decisive progress must be made in time for the October European Council next week and negotiations at the technical level will continue this week."The 27 EU states will get an update at a meeting of national ambassadors, without Britain, on Friday evening. The sides will continue negotiations through the weekend with hopes for a breakthrough as early as Monday.EU's commissioner says 'we are not there yet' on BrexitThe 27 EU leaders meeting next Wednesday and Thursday in Brussels want to be able to announce decisive progress on the Brexit deal to agree to hold another summit in November. That would be to finalise work on a declaration of close future ties with Britain that would also be part of the Brexit package."Michel Barnier and his team are working day and night to reach a deal, but we are not there yet," EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos told the news conference.In a sign of progress, diplomats in Brussels told Reuters the European Union no longer expected a new proposal from Britain for the Ireland-UK border fix after Brexit as negotiators from both sides were seeking to agree on it in direct talks.Previously, the 27 states who will remain in the bloc insisted that London present formal new proposals for the border in writing.EU, Britain narrowing differences on Irish border in Brexit talksThe issue of how to avoid extensive checks at the border between EU state Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland - Britain's only land frontier - after Brexit is the last remaining hurdle, with nearly everything else in the withdrawal agreement agreed before Britain leaves next March.NO-DEALBoth the EU and Britain have signalled progress in recent days, boosting the sentiment in markets, which fear the most damaging no-deal Brexit."My feeling is that there is a smaller probability for lack of deal now than we have had for some time," Danuta Hubner, a European Parliament lawmaker dealing with Brexit, told a committee.But the Commission has also looked at preparations among the 27 states for a no-deal scenario on Wednesday, discussing a document laying out the multiple disruptions that would ensue, including customs checks and duties kicking in immediately on all imports and exports between the EU and Britain.UK PM May's possible Brexit deal could be backed by 30-40 Labour lawmakersWhile some in the Commission wanted to publish the document, the Brexit negotiators feared it would upset Britain and could hurt the negotiations."We are working hard for the Brexit negotiations to succeed. But since we can't guarantee the result right now, we have to prepare for all possible outcomes," one diplomat said."There is a growing sense among the EU27 that outstanding preparedness questions have to be addressed very quickly and in a detailed way... The EU27 need to be ready on day one to address issues like citizen's rights, transport or customs coherently."Avramopoulos also said the bloc's no-deal contingency plans on security were driven by "goodwill", stressing the bloc would want to continue cooperating with Britain closely, including on sharing intelligence. 
EU's Barnier calls for 'decisive progress' on Brexit for summit next week
The European Union's top migration official said on Wednesday that Brexit negotiators were holding intense talks but they have not yet concluded a deal."Michel Barnier and his team are working day and night to reach a deal, but we are not there yet," Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos told a news conference, referring to the bloc's chief Brexit negotiator.EU, Britain narrowing differences on Irish border in Brexit talksUK PM May's possible Brexit deal could be backed by 30-40 Labour lawmakers
EU's commissioner says 'we are not there yet' on Brexit
No Game
Foster said her party, which has 10 lawmakers in the UK parliament, was not bluffing in its tough stance on the talks.
"This is no game. Anyone engaging in this in a light-hearted way foolishly fails to grasp the gravity of the decisions we will make in the coming weeks," Foster said.
"The coming days, weeks and months will be critical. The decisions taken will shape the type of Northern Ireland that our grandchildren will live in."
Foster said she wanted to secure a deal that would work for both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and said she would travel to Dublin for talks on Monday.
In an article in another Northern Ireland newspaper, the Belfast News Letter, former British foreign minister Boris Johnson also took aim at the backstop, describing May's agreement to accept a backstop as a "dreadful mistake".
"The only way to put things back on the right track is to ditch the backstop...," Johnson wrote.
British Prime Minister Theresa May was struggling on Friday to find consensus on Brexit proposals that would be acceptable to her ministers, her Conservative Party and the Northern Irish lawmakers who prop up her minority government.Brexit negotiations with the European Union have accelerated and become more positive over the past week, though significant hurdles remain, finance minister Philip Hammond said."What has happened over the last week, 10 days, is that there has been a measurable change in pace," he told the BBC."But that shouldn't conceal the fact that we still have some big differences left to resolve," Hammond said. "So process is a lot more positive this week - substance still very challenging."Under pressure from parliamentary partner, UK's May meets ministersWith less than six months to go until the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU, May is seeking to rally support at home on the details of a divorce deal though it is unclear if she can win parliament's approval for any agreement.British and EU negotiators are making headway on the Irish border issue, the biggest hurdle to an overall agreement, and hope for a Brexit deal breakthrough on Monday, diplomats said.The Irish border "backstop", which seeks a way to avoid customs checks on the frontier between the British province of Northern Ireland and Ireland if there is no overall exit deal, has become the biggest sticking point in negotiations.As both sides seek to clinch a deal, the United Kingdom will publish on Friday more of its so-called technical notices which lay out the impact of a no-deal Brexit on specific sectors of the economy.Tony Blair says UK needs a referendum to stop BrexitDEAL OR NO-DEAL?May's Northern Irish supporters vehemently oppose any checks between the province and mainland Britain after Brexit.The head of the Democratic Unionist Party, Arlene Foster, said May "could not in good conscience" back an EU proposal for checks on goods being imported to Northern Ireland from Britain after Brexit.Under May's proposals, the whole of the United Kingdom would forge a customs partnership with the EU after a transition period ends in December 2020 in the event of the backstop being triggered.Some of May's ministers have urged her to put a time limit on that plan.The Times newspaper said May was warned the issue was so serious that she could face further cabinet resignations unless she found a way to ensure the backstop was not permanent.Speaking to Northern Ireland journalists at her Downing Street office, May said on Thursday that talks on the Irish backstop were likely to continue until November. 
As Brexit talks progress, UK PM May struggles to find support at home
British Prime Minister Theresa May will meet ministers on Thursday to discuss Brexit, hours after her parliamentary partner threatened to withdraw its support if she accepts what it calls a "draconian solution" on offer from the European Union.Just six months before Britain is due to leave the EU, the two sides differ on their view of the talks - the bloc says a withdrawal deal is within reach, while British officials say "significant obstacles" still lie in the way of any agreement.They do agree on one thing - that time is running out to seal a deal to pave the way for Britain's divorce, the biggest trade and foreign policy shift for more than 40 years. As that departure date creeps closer, those wanting to influence May's approach to Brexit are stepping up their efforts.EU's Barnier calls for 'decisive progress' on Brexit for summit next weekOne of the biggest hurdles is an agreement on the so-called Irish backstop to prevent the return of a hard border between the British province of Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland if there is no immediate trade deal.A seamless border is part of the settlement which largely ended decades of violence in the province.Neither side has indicated there has been a deal on the Irish backstop. But after meetings in Brussels, the Democratic Unionist Party, which props up the Conservative government in parliament, has issued a series of terse warnings to May.DUP Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson condemned what he said was the EU's offer for a backstop that would keep Britain in the customs union for an unspecified time-limited period, would exclude Northern Ireland from any new British trade deals and see checks on goods moving from mainland Britain to the province.EU's commissioner says 'we are not there yet' on BrexitBrexiteers set limit for UK PM Theresa May's trade deal with EUMay's acceptance of such a proposal "would have implications not just for Brexit legislation – 50 per cent of which would not have passed without DUP support – but also for the budget, welfare reform and other domestic legislation", he said."She will not have DUP support regardless of whether the government tries to bribe, bully or browbeat us into accepting it," he wrote in the Daily Telegraph newspaper.By withdrawing its support, the DUP could make it impossible for May to pass legislation through parliament, including the budget which will be voted on later this month.Tony Blair says UK needs a referendum to stop BrexitMeetingMay will gather several of her ministers later on Thursday as part of routine meetings to keep her cabinet team updated on progress in Brexit talks.The meeting takes place against growing criticism over her plans to leave the EU with some Conservative eurosceptic lawmakers saying they will vote against any deal based on her so-called "Chequers" proposal, named after her country residence.Former prime minister John Major, whose career as leader was crushed partly by eurosceptics, said the behaviour of some of those Conservatives was "an intolerable way to treat a prime minister who's in the middle of negotiations".But the parliamentary arithmetic is difficult for May. With the support of the DUP she commands a majority of only 13 lawmakers and needs to keep either her own party onside or attract votes from the main opposition Labour Party.Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said the party will vote against any deal that does not meet its tests - something the Chequers plan does not fulfil.And former Labour leader Tony Blair added his voice to calls for the party to vote down May's Brexit divorce deal."My view is this only happens if there is blockage in parliament. But if there is blockage in parliament it is a very simple argument. You say look we have been two and a bit years trying to reach an agreement that works, parliament is blocked." 
Under pressure from parliamentary partner, UK's May meets ministers
The United Kingdom should call a referendum to allow voters to choose between a no-deal Brexit and staying in a reformed European Union as British politics is deadlocked over the issue, former Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Thursday.Less than six months before the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, there is little clarity about how the world's fifth largest economy and its preeminent international financial centre will trade with the EU after Brexit.If Prime Minister Theresa May can strike a deal with the EU, she has to get it approved by the British parliament, which is deeply divided over Brexit.Some members of her ruling Conservative Party are unhappy about the Brexit proposals she has made, and the main opposition Labour Party has indicated it is likely to vote down any deal May brings back.EU's Barnier calls for 'decisive progress' on Brexit for summit next weekBlair, a former Labour prime minister, said he did not expect May to be able to get a deal through parliament so the country should be offered a new vote."It really is difficult... The alternatives are all worse because if you do get to a blockage in parliament that is what opens up the possibility of going back to the people," Blair, who was premier from 1997 to 2007, told a Reuters newsmaker in London."My view is this only happens if there is blockage in parliament. But if there is blockage in parliament it is a very simple argument. You say, look we have been two and a bit years trying to reach an agreement that works, parliament is blocked."EU's commissioner says 'we are not there yet' on BrexitBoth opponents and supporters of Brexit agree that the divorce is Britain’s most significant geopolitical move since World War Two, though they cast vastly different futures for the $2.9 trillion UK economy and the world’s biggest trading bloc.Blair has repeatedly called for reversing Brexit, echoing other critics such as French President Emmanuel Macron and billionaire investor George Soros, who have suggested that Britain could still change its mind.Blair said that if Brexit did happen, the economic dislocation would be such that the United Kingdom would have to pitch to investors that it would be the best place in the world to do business. 
Tony Blair says UK needs a referendum to stop Brexit