Coronavirus lockdown: Brexit talks could be eased with informal Zoom drinks over video conference – inews

NewsPoliticsBrexitSources say lack of informal talks during negotiations has become a major downside

Thursday, 30th April 2020, 3:45 pm

Trade discussions between Westminster and Brussels have been continuing despite the social distancing restrictions using the video conferencing platform Zoom.

The i politics newsletter cut through the noise

The i politics newsletter cut through the noise

The latest round of negotiations took place last week, ending in a fresh impasse, with both sides demanding compromise or risk the talks collapsing entirely.

Brexit quarantinis?

One UK source close to the talks said part of the problem was the inability of either party to go for informal coffees or drinks at the side of the negotiating table, to try and forge a way forward.

The insider stated there were pros and cons to having to conduct the negotiations over Zoom, with one major advantage that there was no need to have large numbers of people hanging around waiting to be involved in their specific area.

But the source added the downside is you cant take people off for a coffee and have those informal discussions alongside the formal talks.

"We will have to be tolerant of each other, what is more difficult is replicating the atmospherics," the source said.

Socialising via video conference has become a common pastime for people across the globe during the pandemic crisis, with some even arranging virtual pub quizzes.

Asked whether both sides could try to replicate informal talks by having "virtual drinks after work" to ease the tension in the negotiations, the senior UK source said: "We havent planned anything like that yet to have informal discussions. I dont see any reason why we shouldnt do it, we are all inventing new ways of doing it."

Concentrate minds

The source quipped: I am always willing to have a drink with anybody.

Much of Boris Johnsons success in securing a Brexit divorce deal last October has been attributed to his decision to hold informal discussions with the Taosieach Leo Varadkar on the Wirral.

Earlier this week, Michael Gove suggested to MPs that the Covid-19 outbreak could increase the chances of the UK sealing a trade agreement with Brussels, claiming it may concentrate the minds of EU negotiators.

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Coronavirus lockdown: Brexit talks could be eased with informal Zoom drinks over video conference - inews