The Prime Minister has restated his belief that the UK will succeed outside the European Union even without a deal, helping to put aside the fear of the Government caving to EU demands.
The removal of Brexit-supporting advisors Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain from Downing Street this week had instilled fear among Leave voters that the UK Government would bend to the EU negotiating team.
Boris Johnson, however, has released a statement saying that he is “confident we will prosper” outside the EU on Australian terms.
Number 10 Downing Street released a statement from the Prime Minister saying: “The Prime Minister has been clear that we will not accept any proposals in the negotiations that undermine our status as a sovereign, independent country.
“If the EU doesn’t respect the sovereignty of the UK, we will leave on Australian terms and the Prime Minister is confident that we will prosper.”
The next round of talks began on Monday in Brussels.
UK’s Chief Negotiator wrote on Twitter ahead of the negotiations: “Arriving once again in Brussels shortly for another round of negotiations with EU and this afternoon. I and our British team have been in talks almost every day since 22 October.
“We are working to get a deal, but the only one that’s possible is one that is compatible with our sovereignty and takes back control of our laws, our trade, and our waters. That has been our consistent position from the start and I will not be changing it.
“There has been some progress in a positive direction in recent days. We also now largely have common draft treaty texts, though significant elements are of course not yet agreed. We will work to build on these and get an overall agreement if we can.
“But we may not succeed. Either way, as the Prime Minister made clear on 16 October, people and businesses must prepare for the change that is coming on 31 December, most of which happens whether there is a deal or not.”
2/4 We are working to get a deal, but the only one that's possible is one that is compatible with our sovereignty and takes back control of our laws, our trade, and our waters. That has been our consistent position from the start and I will not be changing it.
— David Frost (@DavidGHFrost) November 15, 2020
