BREXIT, BRITAIN, and the EU: Fresh round of negotiations to take place (p. 14)

THERESA MAY'S FLORENCE SPEECH CONFIRMS HARD BREXIT

"The United Kingdom is leaving the European Union. We will no longer be members of its single market or its customs union. For we understand that the single market’s four freedoms are indivisible for our European friends.

We recognise that the single market is built on a balance of rights and obligations. And we do not pretend that you can have all the benefits of membership of the single market without its obligations.
So our task is to find a new framework that allows for a close economic partnership but holds those rights and obligations in a new and different balance...

So we are proposing a bold new strategic agreement that provides a comprehensive framework for future security, law enforcement and criminal justice co-operation: a treaty between the UK and the EU. This would complement the extensive and mature bi-lateral relationships that we already have with European friends to promote our common security...

The United Kingdom will cease to be a member of the European Union on 29th March 2019."

Full text of her speech available here: [link to brexitcentral.com]

REPEAL BILL - FIRST DETAILS

- Amend 12,000 EU laws currently in UK law to remove reference to Brussels.
- 1000 new laws to to craft the transition
- Creation of a few new government-funded organizations to administer certain areas due to departure from the relevant EU organizations

Official link, with downloadable PDF: [link to services.parliament.uk (secure)]

THREE ADDITIONAL PAPERS

- Nuclear materials and safeguards issues - position paper
[link to www.gov.uk (secure)]

- Ongoing Union judicial and administrative proceedings - position paper
[link to www.gov.uk (secure)]

- Privileges and immunities - position paper
[link to www.gov.uk (secure)]

Conservatives agree pact with DUP to support May government

An agreement has been reached which will see the Democratic Unionist Party back Theresa May's minority government.

The deal, which comes two weeks after the election resulted in a hung Parliament, will see the 10 DUP MPs back the Tories in key Commons votes.

There will be £1bn extra for Northern Ireland over the next two years.
DUP leader Arlene Foster said the "wide-ranging" pact was "good for Northern Ireland and the UK" but one critic said it was a "straight bung".

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the deal was "clearly not in the national interest", and Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams said it enabled a "Tory Brexit which threatens the Good Friday Agreement".
It has prompted calls for matching public investment in Wales and Scotland.

A three page document outlining the terms of the agreement has been published in full. The DUP said it would apply for the lifetime of the Parliament, scheduled to last five years, but would also be reviewed at the end of the current session in two years' time.

As part of the deal, the military covenant will be implemented in full in Northern Ireland, meaning more focus on the treatment of military veterans, while the triple lock guarantee of at least a 2.5% rise in the state pension each year, and winter fuel payments, will be maintained throughout the UK.

Other key points of the agreement include:

The DUP will support the Tories on all Brexit and security legislation

The UK's 2% Nato defence spending target will continue to be met

Cash support for farmers will remain at current levels until the next election

Both parties to adhere to commitments in Good Friday Agreement

No Irish border poll without "consent of the people"

[link to www.bbc.com]

Deal three pager: [link to www.gov.uk (secure)]

BREXIT TALKS DAY 1: SUMMARY

- Emotional but constructive start
- Timetable, priorities, and organization agreed
- Trade talks to begin October at the earliest, after exit bill agreed
- EU will not punish Britain for leaving, but there will be significant consequences
- Talks will occur for one week in every four until October, at which point the timetable will be revised if necessary: July 17, August 28, September 18, October 9
- Britain's departure fixed at May 2019
- Much common ground on rights of EU citizens - British government to publish its position on Monday
- EU confirms Britain will leave the single market and customs union - Soft Brexit off the table

[link to www.thesun.co.uk (secure)]