Theresa May was warned today that Britain will automatically crash out of the EU next year if she fails to offer a workable deal to Brussels.
Senior MEP Guy Verhofstadt said Britain’s red lines in the negotiations were dramatically narrowing the options for a deal.
He said he had backed Britain staying in the EU single market, the customs union or an existing associate membership model – but that all had been rejected in London.
Mrs May used a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday night to insist the negotiations were not a ‘one way street’.
Theresa May (pictured today with husband Philip in Maidenhead) was warned today that Britain will automatically crash out of the EU next year if she fails to offer a workable deal to Brussels
Senior MEP Guy Verhofstadt (pictured today on the Marr show) said Britain’s red lines in the negotiations were dramatically narrowing the options for a deal
Formal talks on the transition period are due to come to a head next month with a series of major obstacles still to be finalised.
Mr Verhofstadt issued his warning to the Prime Minister today in an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Marr.
He denied it was ‘punitive’ to talk of the need for Britain to accept the ‘consequences’ of breaking from EU rules.
He said: ‘It’s your decision.
‘I suggested the single market is the best solution. But the British government does not want that because the red line is no freedom of movement of people.
‘The second best option is the customs union. But Britain says that is no, that not possible because it wants control of trade policy.
‘I said look at one or the other of the association arrangements. Maybe that will also be opposed, they will say it implies a role for the European Court of Justice.
‘A lot depends not on the European side, a lot depends on the red lines put on the table by the British.’
Asked what would happen if the House of Commons vetoes any deal as not good enough – a scenario some say could happen if Mrs May tries to stay in some EU rules -, Mr Verhofstadt said: ‘There will be, I presume, a crisis in British politics,’ he said.
‘I presume maybe an election, maybe after that election a new government and maybe a new position of that government on Brexit.
‘That’s unknown territory.’
Mr Verhofstadt issued his warning to the Prime Minister today in an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Marr (pictured)
The MEP said: ‘There is Brexit on March 29 without any agreement.’
The message echoed the declaration by Mrs Merkel in a joint press conference with Mrs May in Berlin on Friday.
The Chancellor said: ‘I’m not frustrated, I’m just curious how Britain envisages this future partnership and obviously we also have our own vested interests.’
Mrs Merkel said Germany has not changed its position on Britain leaving the EU, saying: ‘We deplore it.’
She said that she now wanted to hear from the British on their proposals for a Brexit deal.
‘We very much look forward to Britain again setting out its ideas,’ she said.
In response, Mrs May told the press conference: ‘It is not just a one way street… our future economic partnership is good for the UK and the EU.
‘I believe through negotiations we can achieve that economic relationship.’
Asked if it was time for Britain to make a clear offer and not wait on Europe, Mrs May said: ‘The point of negotiations is two partners sit down and talk about these issues and come to an agreement about these issues.’
Mrs May used a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday night to insist the negotiations were not a ‘one way street’