Category Archives: Brexit

Date Published: 19/09/2022

The sources stressed that the new British PM Liz Truss, is flexible in the good sense of the word, and hoped that reaching a deal on Brexit and Gibraltar would be less showy and vehement than with her predecessor, Boris Johnson.

Nevertheless, they recalled that Truss, who took over the leadership of the country just a couple of weeks ago, embodies the spirit of Brexit, so no major alterations are expected in Londons discourse.

Nevertheless, sources warned that an agreement must be found as soon as possible, because the current measures are temporary and contingent and cannot be a stable framework for a long-lasting relationship.

As yet, though, they have ruled out setting any definitive timeframe for such an agreement to be reached.

Alongside mobility, the Spanish government considers security, defence and trade policy to be the three pillars of the future bilateral relationship.

Between now and the summer we hope to have everything finalised, and that we will be able to announce its location before then, they explained, before adding that there is a 60-million-euro digitalisation plan thanks to EU recovery funds that will serve to modernise Spains consular services.

And the sources explained that the Spanish Foreign Minister, Jos Manuel Albares, has arranged to meet his new counterpart, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, for their first bilateral meeting in the framework of the upcoming Spanish-British Talks.

Image: Liz Truss / Twitter

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Spain Wants Deal With Uk On Gibraltar And Driving Licences Similar To Before Brexit - Murcia Today

I read Ed Dorrells column with interest and agreement (Britain is on the brink: no wonder morale is so low, 16 September). We appear to travel from one crises to the next not always of our own making. Who could have envisaged a dire pandemic or a European war? I too remember that wonderful year 2012, when we celebrated the Queens diamond jubilee and hosted the Olympics. I was so proud to be British and felt the country was on a real, positive and unifying trajectory. But after the Brexit referendum, I feel a great sense of loss and to my mind it has all gone downhill since that momentous and in my humble opinion, misguided decision.

As Dorrell rightly states, we now have the Queens death and the massive outpouring has been emblematic of how people feel. Only three months ago, we had her wonderful platinum jubilee celebrations now a constant presence in our lives has gone. This whole period has been so discombobulating and somehow life looks bleak and unknowable. I feel that King Charles III will rise to the occasion and rule intelligently with empathy and understanding, but I rather feel that the jury is out on the government. I sincerely hope to be proved wrong in that respect, for all our sakes or life indeed will get worse and worse before it gets better.

Judith A Daniels

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Letters: Name one thing that hasn't gone downhill since Brexit I dare you - The Independent

Sinn Fin MLA Declan McAleer has emphasised the ongoing need for direct dialogue between the EU institutions and local representatives.

There is a need for this, he believes, to navigate the post-Brexit agricultural world in Northern Ireland.

He was speaking after participating in a roundtable event in the EU Parliament where MLAs from the main parties engaged with MEPs, Ambassadors, the Northern Ireland Executive Office in Brussels andvice-president of the European CommissionMaros Sefcovic.

The Tory-imposed Brexit is having a hugely negative impact on farms, small businesses and wider society here in the north, he said.

I therefore welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with the EU commission and MEPs to highlight some of these issues.

There were frank and constructive exchanges between MEPs, MLAs and the Commission and I took the opportunity to highlight how the loss of the EU Rural Development Programme and the uncertainty over the future of the Single Farm Payment was having a negative impact on rural communities, he said.

McAleer said that he also highlighted the impact of post-Brexit Home Office immigration rules. The MLA said they were having a very damaging impact on the agrifood sector in accessing workers.

I also highlighted concerns that the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, which is currently going through the House of Lords, could undermine our access to the EU market, he added.

Given that the north has access to the EU single market, EU legislation and standards apply here across a range of areas, therefore it is important that elected representatives from the north and other sectoral interests are heard.

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Impact of Brexit on NI ag sector highlighted with EU Commission - Agriland

The new checker has been developed by experts and offers correct information to British passport holders, completely based on the EUs entry rules to different countries

Image: Alamy Stock Photo)

A new online tool allows travellers to check whether their passport is still valid post-Brexit.

This summer many people have found themselves standing at airport departure gates but unable to get onto a plane.

Since the UK left the European Union Brits heading to countries within the block have had to have three months left on their passports in order to visit.

It must also have been issued in the past ten years at the time of entry.

Different countries have more stringent requirements however, with some demanding passports have six months left before they need to be renewed.

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As more and more people watched their first post-lockdown holidays go up in smoke after falling foul of those rules, the Home Office launched a site which checked whether passports were valid.

The website turned out to have a defect and gave faulty advice about some children's passports, leading the government to take it down and VisaGuide.World to launch one in its place.

The new checker has been developed by experts and offers correct information, completely based on the EUs entry rules.oped by experts and offers correct information, completely based on the EUs entry rules.

All users of it have to do is type in the date on which their passport expires, the date when they plan to enter the EU, as well as the date when they plan to leave.

Misunderstanding of the rules has led to misinterpretation and chaos at UK airports.

Earlier this year a mum and her two kids were marched out of the airport after they were blocked from an easyJet flight - despite all their paperwork actually being within date.

Nicci Lou's children had to leave Gatwick Airport thoroughly miserable and the way they came in following the passport rejection.

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They had arrived several hours earlier incredibly excited about jetting off to Corfu for three and a half weeks on their first post-pandemic holiday - in part planned to celebrate Nicci's divorce.

The single mum was therefore heartbroken when easyJet boarding gate staff told her she couldn't come onboard as her passport was too near expiring, despite still being in date.

Nicci and her two crying children were told to go to the information desk for help, only to be escorted out of the building by two members of security.

"I made a mistake and I didn't know about the three months from the date you get back rule," the 43-year-old told the Mirror.

"The problem I have is I had got as far as the gates, almost to the airplane, before they said no.

"Then they told us to go to the information desk. They were trying to get rid of me and my crying children. The information desk said they were nothing to do with the flight and there was no supervisor."

To read more about her story, click here.

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New tool lets you check whether passports are still valid post-Brexit - The Mirror

GBP/USD remains pressured towards 1.1500 during early Thursday morning in Europe, reversing the previous days rebound, as global markets remain dicey ahead of the US data. Also exerting downside pressure on the Cable pair could be the pessimism surrounding the British politics and Brexit updates, not to forget the previous days downbeat UK/US inflation data.

UK Prime Minister (PM) Liz Truss has difficulty convincing British locals that the governments relief on energy bills will take effect from the start of October. The doubts over UK PM Truss ability to convince Northern Ireland Premier Micheal Martin during his visit to London, for Queens funeral, also weigh on the GBP/USD prices. Furthermore, a lack of response from London to the European Union (EU) despite approaching the date to trigger Article 16 relating to Brexit exerts additional downside pressure on the quote.

On Wednesday, the UKs Food price inflation increased for the 13th consecutive month to 1.5% MoM, the biggest monthly jump since 1995. However, the headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) declined to 9.9% YoY versus 10.2% market forecasts and 10.1% previous readings. Further, the Retail Price Index also eased, reprinting 12.3% YoY figures versus 12.4% expected.

In the case of the US, the Producer Price Index (PPI) declined to 8.7% YoY in August from 9.8% in July, versus 8.8% in market forecasts. Details suggest that the PPI ex Food & Energy, better known as Core PPI, also eased to 7.3% YoY from 7.6% but surpassed the market expectation of 7.1%. Even so, the 75% chance of the Feds 75 basis points (bps) rate hike in the next week, as well as the 25% odds favoring the full 100 bps Fed rate lift, as per the CMEs FedWatch Tool, favor the GBP/USD bears.

It should be noted that US President Joe Bidens rejection of US fears and Chinas stimulus are some key developments that should have favored the risk appetite. However, the Sino-American tussles and the European energy crisis seemed to have challenged the optimism. Additionally, the looming labor strike in the US appears to be an extra burden on the risk appetite.

Ami these plays, the S&P 500 Futures print mild gains around 3,670 whereas the US 10-year Treasury yields remain directionless near 3.416%.

Looking forward, the US Retail Sales for August, expected to remain unchanged at 0.0%, will be important for the GBP/USD traders to watch for intraday directions amid a lack of data/events from the UK. However, major attention will be given to the next weeks Fed meeting. Overall, the bears are likely to keep reins.

Also read:US Retail Sales Preview: Can consumers keep up with inflation? A breather could weigh on the dollar

Despite the Cable pairs repeated bounce off the 1.1490-85 support area, the buyers remain alert unless the quote crosses the 21-DMA hurdle surrounding 1.1650.

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GBP/USD retreats towards 1.1500 as UK politics, Brexit test buyers, focus on US Retail Sales - FXStreet

Macron says that the EU is stronger following Brexit

Citing a declassified review released by the US State Department, an anonymous high-ranking official said hundreds of millions of dollars had flowed to political actors in over two dozen countries. The official added that Russia will likely increase its backdoor political financing efforts as it attempts to subvert the sanctions imposed following Putins invasion of Ukraine.And, as the UK Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee (ICS) concluded Britain was a prime target of Russia, the scope of Russian influence in the Brexit referendum is once again in the spotlight.

The US State Department has alleged Russia covertly transferred more than $300million (260million) to politicians and political parties sympathetic to Moscows agenda since 2014.

According to an anonymous senior member of the Biden administration who spoke via phone, Putin was spending vast sums in an attempt to manipulate democracies from the inside.

He added: It is an effort to chip away at the ability of people around the world to choose the governments that they see best fit to represent them, to represent their interests, and to represent their values.

Although the review does not name individual targets, the official said it identified more than 24 countries across four continents that were affected.

The administration official said: "We are clear that it is ongoing, it is pervasive, it is global.

The revelation reignites fears that Russian money may have swayed the outcome of the 2016 Brexit referendum.

The ISC report into Russian interference in British politics published in 2020 described the UK as one of Russia's top targets as it was seen as central to the Western anti-Russian lobby.

According to the official, the US intelligence community is holding confidential briefings with select countries due to the sensitivity of the data the UK likely among them.

On Wednesday, Caroline Lucas, a Green Party MP who has been leading the charge for a more thorough and transparent investigation into Russia's involvement in Brexit, said: "As Putin wages war on Ukraine, hes been waging another war on democracies around the world, including our own. This latest US State intelligence simply proves what we already knew from the Intelligence & Security Committees Russia report that there is credible evidence of Russian meddling in UK election processes.

"Liz Truss needs to deliver what Boris Johnson stubbornly refused to an independent and comprehensive investigation into Russian interference in our elections, including the 2016 Brexit referendum. Our democracy is at stake, and it must be protected at all costs."

READ MORE:Putin spent 260m on influencing politicians

Published on July 21 2020, the ISCs Russia report stated Russian influence in the UK was the new normal.

Heavily redacted and long-delayed, the report concluded insufficient attention was paid to Russian infiltration in British politics and public life, and that the Government did not know and did not seek to find out the degree to which Russia impacted the Brexit referendum result.

The report said that despite evidence of Russian meddling in elections in the US and France, as well as in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, the Government belatedly realised the level of threat which Russia could pose in this area.

The committee could not definitively say whether the Kremlin had successfully caused Brexit, but the revelation of the true scale of Russian money spent on political manipulation campaigns puts the question back on the table.

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According to research by communications agency 89up published in 2018, Kremlin-owned broadcasters RT and Sputnik published 261 media articles on the Brexit referendum with a strong anti-EU sentiment in the run-up to the vote in 2016.

The study claims the social reach of these pro-Brexit pieces, with 134 million potential impressions, dwarfed that of the official Vote Leave and Leave.EU websites, with 33 million and 11 million potential impressions respectively.

Alongside influencing opinions on social media, in the cable relaying the findings of the US intelligence community on Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken detailed other methods of Russian interference including expensive gifts and donations to favoured causes, and moving funds through shell companies and think tanks.

The anonymous administration source said the Kremlin used Brussels as a hub for foundations and other organisations in order to back far-right candidates across Europe.

As confirmed in the Russia report, the UK is particularly vulnerable in this regard given how welcoming the country has been to Russian investment and the Russian elite.

In February, anti-corruption organisation Transparency International estimated that 1.5billion of UK property had been bought by Russians accused of corruption or links to the Kremlin since 2016, including 430million worth of assets in the City of Westminster alone.

In a statement following the release of the report, the committee said: Successive governments have welcomed the oligarchs and their money with open arms, providing them with a means of recycling illicit finance through the London laundromat and connections at the highest levels with access to UK companies and political figures

In the wake of Putins invasion of Ukraine, there has been renewed pressure to clamp down on Russian money and influence in the UK.

After launching an investigation into RT on impartiality grounds in February, communications regulator Ofcom revoked the Russian state broadcasters UK licence.

In late March, a cross-party coalition of MPs and peers launched legal action against the UK Government in the European Court of Human Rights over its refusal to order an inquiry into the findings of the Russia report.

The group claimed the Government is in breach of Article 3 of the first protocol of the European Convention on Human Rights, which calls for free elections at reasonable intervals by secret ballot, under conditions which will ensure the free expression of the opinion of the people.

Among those bringing the action was Ms Lucas,who said in a statement: We now have no other option than to take our case to the European Court of Human Rights, in order to try to force the government to undertake a full investigation into the evidence, or else we jeopardise the free and fair elections we hold dear and allow Putin to believe that, once again, he can get away with hostile state interference in our democratic processes.

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Russian meddling in Brexit claims explored as critics say UK a 'target' of Putin - Express

The future of soaps and other popular UK television shows in Ireland is uncertain due to Brexit laws which could spell disaster for Irish viewers.

According to new EU laws, every EU broadcaster must ensure that 30% of their on-demand content and half of their daily schedule is produced in Europe.

Due to Brexit, shows produced un the UK no longer classify as European prouder content, meaning Irish stations could have to axe multiple shows in favour of more home-grown content.

Shows such as Coronation Street, Eastenders, Strictly Come Dancing, I'm A Celbrity... Get Me Out of Here and Love Island all face being axed by Irish stations in order to reach the EU quota.

In a letter to Minister Catherine Martin and Irish MEPs released by the Irish Sun under Freedom of Information, Director-General of RTE Dee Forbes andVirgin Media's Managing Director Paul Farrell have warned that such a move would be disastrous for Irish TV.

The letter read: 'Both RT and Virgin Media Television schedules would be affected and the ability to maintain multiple TV channels would be seriously undermined. So too would the ability to provide our respective on demand services.

'This would have major implications on both broadcasters funding models and our ability to fund quality home produced content... We share the English language, we co-produce large amounts of high quality series likeNormal People, The Young Offenders, and Blood.

'We both acquire content from the UK which plays an important function in our schedules and is highly valued by the viewing public. UK content being reclassified as non-European works would have major implications on Irish broadcasting and its ability to function.'

Emphasising that as 'the only English-speaking country in the EU', Ireland 'would be uniquely disadvantaged' by the law, the letter added that if it came to pass then it 'would negatively impact Irish broadcasting, Irish viewers and the Irish public'.

'In a market the size ofIrelandcollaborating with our nearest neighbour is absolutely essential... We are calling on you and our members of the European Parliament to protect the current proposed wording in the AVMS Directive as well as that which is now proposed in the recently published Bill here in Ireland,' the letter continued.

When quizzed if Virgin Media would possibly have to choose between the Chase and Corrie, Mr Walsh admitted that 'could very well be' the case.

He explained: 'That airs into a business of the broadcaster - spend for programme, contract and ratings. But, yes I would imagine if the hypothetical occurs then it could be a choice of A or B...

'From my side, its a tip of a coin. One side it would put smaller production companies out of businesses. From the other side, if such remove would happen, Ireland could benefit from UK based companies moving to Ireland. But, this is difficult to clearly answer yet.'

RTE added: 'The UK has a long-standing global reputation for producing programming of the highest calibre which is enjoyed by audiences in Ireland, and it is important that access to such programming is not restricted.'

It's not just Irish stations facing tough decisions, with the laws also applying to streaming services, includingNetflix and Amazon.

Such a move would have an extreme impact on the UK television and film industry, which brings in 1.6billion in international rights sales.

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Future Of Soaps And UK TV Shows In Ireland Uncertain Due To Brexit - Extra.ie

A POPULAR Brighton pub has closed due to the rising cost of electricity bills and Brexit nonsense.

The Brighton Beer Dispensary in Dean Street made the announcement on Sunday and said it would be closed from Monday onwards.

Management cited various reasons for the closure including the rise in energy costs, Brexit and other issues which meant they did not expect to survive.

They thanked customers for their support over the years.

In a Facebook post, they said: Were very sorry to have to announce the closure of the Brighton Beer Dispensary.

With the rise of electricity bills, Brexit nonsense and other issues, we just cant see ourselves surviving.

We will be closing from tomorrow onwards.

Wed like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has supported us over the years. We wish you all well.

Brighton Beer Dispensary was first opened in 2014 by local brewery Brighton Bier in partnership with Late Knights brewery, replacing the Prince Arthur pub.

However, shortly after Brighton Bier left to pursue their own pubs and bars, later opening the Brighton Bierhaus.

After Late Knights was dissolved, the pub was taken over by Southey Brewing which also has locations in Dulwich and London.

People were quick to share their reactions to the news, with hundreds commenting on the social media post.

One woman said: Very sad guys, Im sorry weve not been regulars for a few years.

We are all responsible for irregular patronage and our lack of supporting you.

Thanks for the memories.

Another wrote: I'm really sorry it's come to this, BBD is a great place and I was really looking forward to seeing more of it coming out of the worst of the pandemic.

Thanks for the memories over the years, it'll be really sad to see you gone and I hope you can have a bash to go out in style.

One man commented that it was a sign of the times and he fears there will be many more.

Really sad news. A really lovely little pub, really sorry to hear that youre closing. Thanks for the lovely beers, said one Facebook user.

Brighton Beer Dispensary havebeen contacted for comment.

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Brighton Beer Dispensary closes 'due to energy costs and Brexit' - The Argus

Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern, the architects of the landmark peace deal in Northern Ireland, have been working behind the scenes to try to get the UK and the EU back to the negotiating table over Brexit and the collapse of the Stormont government, it has been revealed.

The revelation comes as it emerged that the hard Brexiter Steve Baker has been appointed a minister in the Northern Ireland office, replacing Conor Burns, who has been moved to a ministerial role in the Department for International Trade.

South Belfast SDLP MP Claire Hanna said the appointment of Baker and fellow Brexiter Chris Heaton-Harris as as Northern Ireland secretary was an obnoxious European Research Group takeover. She said it raised serious questions about Liz Trusss policy direction.

Earlier on Wednesday, Burns had thanked Blair and Ahern for their support in the House of Commons. He revealed he had spent the summer north and south of the border in dozens of meetings with parties and civic representatives to try to break the double impasse over the Northern Ireland protocol and power-sharing, which the Democratic Unionist party has been boycotting since May.

I want to place on record, Mr Speaker, in the house today, my thanks to the former taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the former prime minister Tony Blair for their assistance in the work that I have done over the summer, he said.

Ahern and Blair continue to take a keen interest in Northern Ireland and are determined to make sure the fragile peace accord is not ruptured before the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Good Friday agreement next Easter.

The former taoiseach met Burns in Dublin recently and will meet the European Commission vice-president, Maro efovi, on Wednesday night on the sidelines of a roundtable discussion about Northern Ireland involving MEPs and representatives from all parties including Sinn Fin and the DUP.

Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you through the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning

Some have suggested that Ahern should be appointed a special envoy to try to resolve the dispute over the protocol, with warnings that history will not forgive Irish or British leaders if the peace deal collapses.

However, one source said the Irish government had a neuralgia about jobs for former politicians in envoy positions.

Talks between the UK and the EU over the Northern Ireland protocol have been paused since February when Russia invaded Ukraine, with the already strained relations deteriorating further in June when Liz Truss introduced a bill to enable the UK to unilaterally remove some of the Northern Ireland Brexit protocol.

Despite the risk of a retaliatory trade war if the bill becomes law, Burns believes there is room for a deal. Earlier this week, he advised Truss that there is an appetite to return to talks and have another go at negotiations.

Hopes of a thaw in UK-EU relations have also been fuelled by the absence of Lord Frost from Trusss new cabinet.

Burns told the house he had met efovi at the British Irish Association conference in Oxford at the weekend where he had constructive and prolonged talks.

I am convinced that if the appetite exists, we can find a way to a negotiated solution to the Northern Ireland protocol, he told MPs.

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Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern working behind scenes in UK-EU Brexit deadlock - The Guardian

The United Kingdoms next prime minister may be an even bigger Brexiteer than Boris Johnson.

Liz Truss, the former foreign secretary, won the Conservative Partys leadership contest, and on Tuesday, officially took over as the UKs prime minister, replacing Boris Johnson. Truss defeated Rishi Sunak in a race she was heavily favored to win, largely because she captivated the right-wing base of the Conservative Party, including its Euroskeptic wing.

How Truss achieved that is a somewhat remarkable political story. A former Liberal Democrat and Remain supporter, she fully embraced Brexit after the 2016 referendum, becoming one of its most ardent backers. As foreign secretary in Johnsons government, she shored up her Brexit credentials with her confrontational stance toward the European Union.

Her reinvention allowed her to ascend to the top of her party, and now the premiership. That rise says a lot about where the UKs Conservative Party (or Tory party) is right now: Even though the UK officially broke with Europe, Brexit has also ballooned into an entrenched domestic political and culture war issue. Truss is the embodiment of this, which also says a lot about how she may lead when it comes to the European Union, and beyond.

Practically, that may mean even thornier relations between the UK and the EU at a time when the United Kingdom and the rest of the continent are dealing with inflation and energy crises and an ongoing war in Ukraine.

A question that Liz Truss will basically have to face is: How far does she want to escalate with the EU? said Nicolai von Ondarza, EU/Europe research group leader at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. And for the EU side: How fast and how strong does one want to retaliate?

As the new British prime minister, Truss does have the opportunity for a reset, and given the economic and political challenges the UK is facing, it might make sense to attempt it. But Brussels, Paris, and Berlin are bracing for a rockier relationship. Because, as a Brexit latecomer, Truss may have even less room to maneuver than the guy shes replacing.

In 2016, Liz Truss warned of the perils of Brexit, saying leaving the EUs single market would mean industries, like food and drink, would face additional costs getting their products to market. In 2022, during her Conservative leadership campaign, she said she was wrong and I am prepared to admit I was wrong about her past stance.

And Conservative Party members, whose votes she needed to win the leadership race, believed her. (Even more wild, Sunak, the candidate she defeated, voted Leave.)

Truss is, to borrow a phrase from the tabloids, a born-again Brexiteer. She says she believes in Brexit now because disruption didnt happen, even though plenty of indicators show that those disruptions are very much happening.

Truss also used her tenure in government to build her Brexit bona fides. She served as International Trade Secretary in Johnsons government, the public face of Britains post-Brexit efforts to secure trade deals all over the world. In 2021, she took on the high-profile job of foreign secretary, where she oversaw the post-Brexit portfolio with the EU.

Trusss appointment last year came with some hope that she might be a bit more pragmatic and less ideological on Brexit. But she largely maintained a hardline approach when dealing with the EU, especially on issues relating to Northern Ireland, the eternal sticking point of Brexit.

Truss was one of the main architects of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill that, if it becomes law, would unilaterally rewrite sections of the Brexit deal the UK itself negotiated. Truss is committed to seeing that bill through as prime minister, even as the EU and UK are already in a legal battle over the implementation of the deal. During her campaign, Truss also promised to scratch all remaining EU law by 2023.

As von Ondarza said, sometimes converts display the strongest faith.

Kevin Featherstone, a professorial research fellow in the European Institute at the London School of Economics, said that toughness on the EU has transcended actual policy goals and is now a culture war issue. To go after bureaucrats in Brussels is to shore up your populist appeal. Being anti-EU is a vibe, whatever the policy stakes and fallout.

Truss channels the zeal of the party on this and on other key issues of the Tory base: free markets, deregulation, and a disdain for cultural wokeness.

While Boris Johnson was a leading figure in the Brexiteer camp, he had a wider appeal, whereas Liz Trusss power base is firmly within the hardcore Brexiteer part of the Parliamentary party, but also the wider Tory party and so she has to be much firmer on the EU, but also on other economic questions, von Ondarza said.

For that reason, she may not have as much political space to act, and may not have the domestic political capital to tamp down any tensions with the EU. Because Brexit isnt actually done, and it could further strain EU-UK relations.

Yes, yes, they said it was done! But Brexit was always going to create new issues as trade and travel between the UK and EU fundamentally changed.

The status of Northern Ireland remains a key source of tension. Just to recap: Northern Ireland is part of the UK, and so left the EU with it. But as part of the Good Friday Agreement, a peace deal that ended decades of sectarian conflict, the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (which is part of the EU) is supposed to remain open and free from physical infrastructure. After Brexit, the UK left the EU institutions and was expected to diverge on trading rules, and so the UK and EU needed to figure out a way to conduct customs checks without undoing the peace deal and upsetting a politically sensitive border.

Johnson ultimately negotiated a Brexit deal that would mean some goods from the United Kingdom bound for Northern Ireland would have to undergo checks before they arrived there, over concerns they might end up in the EU single market. That is a source of tensions for unionists in Northern Ireland (who dont want much distance between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK) and for the Conservative government, who say the deal is creating this divide and complicating commerce within the country.

But the EU says the UK isnt implementing the deal as agreed, and has launched legal proceedings to get them to comply. The UK, meanwhile, with this Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, is threatening to tear up the entire agreement. Truss has also threatened to trigger a formal mechanism within the Brexit deal that can be invoked when serious economic, societal or environmental difficulties that are liable to persist come up something the EU will be forced to respond to, if that happens.

Either way, its messy and could get messier, putting the UK and the EU on the path toward a possible trade war, even as the continent is already in crisis because of war and rising costs of food and fuel.

The Brexit deal isnt perfect, but this escalation is of a political making. The EU has said its willing to talk, but within the framework of original protocol; the UK has indicated it wants more radical changes. This is a problem which has to do with political culture, which is more winning, and less compromise, said Georg Boomgaarden, German ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2008 to 2013. But if we let the experts sit down together, have pragmatic and practical solutions for where there is a real problem, most of the problems Truss brought up are no problem at all.

The question is will the experts sit down and will Truss give them her blessing to do so? Featherstone and von Ondarza both mentioned the possibility of a Nixon goes to China moment, where Truss, bolstered by her win and the full-throated support of the Brexiteers, brokers a deal with the EU or appoints someone who will, and frames it as a victory over the EU, even if it involves some concessions along the way.

This would be a dream for Berlin, Paris, and Brussels, but the Nixon goes to China moment may be just that. Experts I spoke to were skeptical that Truss would use domestic political capital on a still-easy target the EU especially when the UK is dealing with plenty of crises at home, from inflation to labor strikes.

On issues like security, and on Ukraine, London and Brussels continue to cooperate. But Brexit remains largely stuck. Economic crises in both the UK and Europe might force the two sides to the negotiating table in earnest. That is the hope, at least, for the start of Trusss tenure. As Boomgaarden said, Europe has no interest in Britain being another crisis center. We need Britain, he said. And they may need Europe. But they may also need quite a lot of time until they acknowledge [it].

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Liz Truss, Brexit convert, is the UKs new prime minister - Vox.com