The Telegraph, May 17
A survey published by Centre for Brexit Policy reveals public concerns about being locked into EU.
Almost half of Britons believe extending the transition period would lead to further delays, according to a poll, as Downing Street warned that Michel Barnier’s mandate was “totally unnegotiable” on the issues that stalled post-Brexit trade talks last week.
A survey published by a new pro-Brexit think tank suggests the public believes extending the transition period beyond December 31 would be likely to leave the UK locked into the EU’s orbit for the foreseeable future. The poll is contained in a report by the Centre for Brexit Policy which claims that opting for an extension within the coming months could cost up to £378 billion.
With talks between the UK and the EU over the future trade agreement now at an impasse, Boris Johnson has faced calls to extend the transition period before the July deadline to do so, in order to focus on the Covid-19 pandemic.
But Downing Street has ruled out an extension, instead suggesting the UK could simply leave the EU’s customs union and single market without a comprehensive trade deal in place.
On Saturday night, a No10 source insisted that “no government” would agree to some of the demands currently being made by the EU, through Mr Barnier, its chief negotiator, including that the bloc would effectively have “oversight” of UK legislation in order to maintain a “level playing field” on tax and regulation.
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Click here to read the report in full.