Keir Starmer looking to follow Swiss model of paying into the Brussels budget in return for access to the single market as PM prepares for EU ‘surrender summit’
British negotiators preparing for an EU ‘surrender summit’ are operating from a blueprint used by Switzerland – which has agreed to accept EU rules and pay into the Brussels budget in return for access to the single market.
The summit, in London on May 19, is the moment Sir Keir Starmer hopes to ‘reset’ the UK’s relationship with the EU, but Brexiteers fear the term is code for a capitulation to the bloc – despite Britain’s vote to leave in 2016.
Labour ministers have confirmed that the Government is ready to sign up to permanent alignment with EU rules in areas such as agriculture in return for a closer trading relationship, but deny that this amounts to reversing Brexit.
However, diplomatic sources point to the recent deal struck by the EU with Switzerland, which allows partial membership of the single market for goods alone.
The talks were deadlocked for years until the Swiss agreed to so-called ‘dynamic alignment’ – accepting EU rules – as well as signing up to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice and making payments into the Brussels budget.
Also, the European Commission has made clear that no deal will be possible unless the UK starts negotiations on a ‘youth mobility scheme’ – freedom of movement for young adults, modelled on Britain’s arrangement with Canada.
Under this, young Canadians aged 18 to 35 can apply for a three-year UK visa – though there is an annual quota – allowing them to live and work in the UK.
The Prime Minister used an interview this weekend to prepare the ground for his ‘reset’ by arguing that the British public had moved on from Brexit.
Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) hopes to ‘reset’ the UK’s relationship with the EU at a summit, in London on May 19
Brexiteers fear the term is code for a capitulation to the bloc – despite Britain’s vote to leave in 2016
He told The Guardian that people should ‘look forward, not back’, saying: ‘I’m ambitious about what we can achieve there.
‘I want a closer relationship on security, defence, trade and on the economy. The mindset is important and this is, I think, a shared approach. Let’s look forward, not back.
‘Let’s recognise we’re living in a different world. We’re in a new era on security and defence. Equally, we’re in a new era on trade and the economy now.’
Sir Keir’s advisers are nervous about the electoral impact of being seen to try to reverse Brexit, given the threat posed by Reform UK in the party’s former heartlands.
The Tories have warned that the EU negotiations could also wreck hopes for a comprehensive free trade deal with the US.
The Government published details of the trade deal struck with Donald Trump last week, which left affected sectors with a number of unanswered questions about its likely impact.
Last year, The Mail on Sunday revealed that the Prime Minister has established a ‘surrender squad’ in Whitehall to lead the negotiations and prepare for the EU summit.
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People shocked by bizarre items found in every room of a ‘normal’ detached house on sale for £305k
A four-bedroom house on a quiet cul-de-sac has just gone on sale – but potential buyers face a shock if they look around the home for a viewing.
From the outside, there is nothing out of the ordinary about the detached suburban property in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.
And in the current market a four-bedroom detached house for £305,000 is a deal many buyers would think about making.
However, despite the reasonable price, there’s one unexpected feature that will grab the attention of prospective buyers.
Many people may have kept their childhood teddy bear as a keepsake or to pass down to their own kids but this homeowner has taken it to a new level.
From the outside, there is nothing out of the ordinary about the detached suburban property in Northallerton, North Yorkshire
However, despite the reasonable price, there’s one unexpected feature that will grab the attention of prospective buyers
Many people may have kept their childhood teddy bear as a keepsake or to pass down to their own kids but this homeowner has taken it to a new level
Taking to TikTok, @HousingHorrors took a look around the home which is filled to the brim with stuffed animal toys.
One of the bedrooms has a cabinet full of teddy bears of all different sizes, designs and colours.
As if that wasn’t enough, there are even more bears in home’s three other bedrooms as well as the living room.
It’s not just teddy bears as if you look closely enough you can spot a number of other stuffed toy animals as well as several baby dolls.
The overwhelming toy collection is mainly however teddy bears and is sure to cause a shock to anyone who takes a look inside.
‘I have never seen so many teddy bears inside a house in my entire life,’ the TikToker said:
‘Upon first glance it does look pretty normal and then you get into the bedroom and “oh my days”, look at all those eyes staring at you.
‘Imagine going on a date and bringing a girl back for the first time and she goes into this room and all those eyes are staring at her.
One of the bedrooms has a cabinet full of teddy bears of all different sizes, designs and colours
Taking to TikTok , @HousingHorrors took a look around the home which is filled to the brim with stuffed animal toys
As if that wasn’t enough, there are even more bears in home’s three other bedrooms as well as the living room
The overwhelming toy collection is mainly however teddy bears and is sure to cause a shock to anyone who takes a look inside
‘If she hated teddy bears she would be running out of that door straight away.’
The TikToker added: ‘But it does not end there because in this second bedroom there is even more bears and they are absolutely everywhere.’
He went on to question whether the collection included rare editions and if the toy were being kept to back a ‘quick buck’.
‘Honestly bears have just taken over this place,’ he adds before finishing the video by saying ‘you can’t get away from them’.
