Alan Gillman
Aug 28, 2017 · 5 min read

I’m a Remainer (not a Remoaner though !) but perhaps I can be persuaded (Part 7) ?

So turning to the governments’ 12 principles or priorities this is the first of my travelling drafts trying to piece together what’s happening in the negotiations, not forgetting that the EU team are only mandated to negotiate on three topics at present.

There’s more than just the simple headline in analysing the government ‘promise’ in the White Paper and I’m not sure how to avoid this looking like a dull business report. Anyway, here goes (the words in italics come from the White Paper)……

On 17 January 2017 the Prime Minister set out the 12 principles which will guide the Government in fulfilling the democratic will of the people of the UK. (They call them both ‘principles’ and ‘priorities’)

This document sets out our plan for the strong new partnership we want to build with the EU. Whatever the outcome of our negotiations, we will seek a more open, outward-looking, confident and fairer UK, which works for all.

  1. Providing certainty and clarity

We recognise how important it is to provide business, the public sector and the public with as much certainty as possible. So ahead of, and throughout the negotiations, we will provide certainty wherever we can. We will provide as much information as we can without undermining the national interest.

Status – no formal structure to communications which only provides space for the current confusion. Things seem quiet on the Repeal Bill.

2. Taking control of our own laws

We will take control of our own affairs, as those who voted in their millions to leave the EU demanded we must, and bring an end to the jurisdiction in the UK of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

Status – there seems to be a tiny bit of common sense appearing lately on this.

3. Strengthening the Union

It is more important than ever that we face the future together, united by what makes us strong: the bonds that unite us, and our shared interest in the UK being an open, successful trading nation.

Status – lack of a clear post Brexit future alongside poor communications means the country still remains very divided.

4. Protecting our strong and historic ties with Ireland and maintaining the Common Travel Area

Maintaining our strong and historic ties with Ireland will be an important priority for the UK in the talks ahead. This includes protecting the Common Travel Area (CTA).

Status – part of the first phase of the negotiations and no great progress is evident at this point.

5. Controlling immigration

We will remain an open and tolerant country, and one that recognises the valuable contribution migrants make to our society and welcomes those with the skills and expertise to make our nation better still. But in future we must ensure we can control the number of people coming to the UK from the EU.

Status – awaits the ‘sufficient progress’ test before negotiations can start.

6. Securing rights for EU nationals in the UK, and UK nationals in the EU

We want to secure the status of EU citizens who are already living in the UK, and that of UK nationals in other Member States, as early as we can.

Status – in my view this needs a simple ‘full rights, equal treatment’ approach but that seems slow to be emerging,

7. Protecting workers’ rights

UK employment law already goes further than many of the standards set out in EU legislation and this Government will protect and enhance the rights people have at work.

Status – awaits the ‘sufficient progress’ test before negotiations can start.

8. Ensuring free trade with European markets

The Government will prioritise securing the freest and most frictionless trade possible in goods and services between the UK and the EU. We will not be seeking membership of the Single Market, but will pursue instead a new strategic partnership with the EU, including an ambitious and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement and a new customs agreement.

Status – awaits the ‘sufficient progress’ test before negotiations can start.

9. Securing new trade agreements with other countries

By leaving the EU we will have the opportunity to strike free trade agreements with countries around the world. We will be champions of free trade driving forward liberalisation bilaterally, as well as in wider groupings, and we will continue to support the international rules based system.

Status – awaits the ‘sufficient progress’ test before negotiations can start.

10. Ensuring the United Kingdom remains the best place for science and innovation

From space exploration to clean energy, from medical technologies to agri-tech, the UK will remain at the forefront of collective endeavours to better understand, and make better, the world in which we live. We will seek agreement to continue to collaborate with our European partners on major science, research, and technology initiatives.

Status – awaits the ‘sufficient progress’ test before negotiations can start.

11. Cooperating in the fight against crime and terrorism

We will continue to work with the EU to preserve UK and European security, and to fight terrorism and uphold justice across Europe.

Status – awaits the ‘sufficient progress’ test before negotiations can start.

12. Delivering a smooth, orderly exit from the EU

Delivering a smooth, mutually beneficial exit will require a coherent and coordinated approach on both sides. We want to avoid a disruptive cliff-edge, and we should consider the need for phasing in any new arrangements we require as the UK and the EU move towards a new partnership.

Status – real progress is surely needed on the exit bill first but this doesn’t seem evident at this point.

And these were just the Prime Ministers’ ‘principles’ or ‘priorities’ – are we to read anything into the use of these terms or are the ‘12' meant to represent all the issues ?

Recent Labour Party announcements about the transition period, custom union and the single market in my view do nothing to describe the post Brexit destination or the benefits and risks of that location.

So, not a huge amount of progress really and looking at the scale of the task above it’s pretty clear that March 2019 will not deliver much certainty. I also keep wondering when the government will put any energy into their Industrial Strategy.

The clock is ticking a little louder every day. Hopefully sooner rather than later more and more people will start to ask ‘where is it we’re actually heading to’. It is a negotiation and there’s a long way to go in a short time. The will of the people must surely be expressed in a clear way at some stage in the process and I personally think this doesn’t need to wait until the end.

The negotiations continue this week.

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