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Latest news courtesy of the Times.
Theresa May fears that MPs will impose a softer Brexit next week after Jeremy Corbyn moved Labour’s position closer to that of Remain Tory rebels. The prime minister is in Brussels today to press for legally binding changes to ensure that the UK will not be trapped in the Irish backstop, a key demand from Brexiteers. Mr Corbyn’s surprise change of policy, including dropping a pledge to deliver the “exact same benefits” as membership of the European Union, will stiffen the EU’s resolve to hold out until next week’s parliamentary votes.
Brussels has repeatedly offered to address concerns about the backstop — the UK’s commitment to mirror EU customs and rules — if there is agreement for a softer Brexit. In a terse joint statement this afternoon, Mrs May and Jean-Claude Juncker described their talks as “robust but constructive”.The EU chief rejected a demand to reopen the Brexit deal but repeated a previous offer to beef up a commitment to speed talks on a trade deal after Brexit.
In a letter to Mrs May, Mr Corbyn said that the price of his backing a deal came in the form of five legally binding commitments:
• A permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs union. This would include alignment with the union customs code, a common external tariff and an agreement on commercial policy that includes the UK having a say on future EU trade deals.
• Close alignment with the single market. This should be underpinned by shared institutions and obligations, with “clear arrangements” for dispute resolution.
• “Dynamic”, or constantly updated, alignment on rights and protections so that British standards keep pace with evolving standards across Europe as a minimum, “allowing the UK to lead the way”.
• Clear commitments on participation in EU agencies and funding programmes, including in areas such as the environment, education and industrial regulation.
• “Unambiguous” agreements on the detail of future security arrangements, including access to the European arrest warrant and shared databases.
Mr Corbyn ends the letter by suggesting further discussions with Mrs May on these proposals “with the aim of securing a sensible agreement that can win the support of parliament and bring the country together”. Nick Boles, the Conservative former minister who is leading efforts for a Norway-style deal, said: “This takes us a big step forward to a cross-party compromise.” Mrs May was forced to promise MPs another chance to vote on Brexit a week today to head off resignations from ministers determined to avoid a no-deal exit. Although the prime minster saw off attempts to wrest control from cabinet last week, Downing Street now fears that MPs will launch another attempt on February 14.