This archive report was first published on 6 October 2019.
As the October 31 Brexit deadline looms, UK Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has reiterated that the country's proposals submitted to Brussels this week are a 'broad landing zone' for intense negotiations in the coming days.
Barclay urged the EU to show 'creativity and flexibility' to secure a deal, adding that the government was considering holding a parliamentary vote ahead of a make-or-break EU summit on October 17-18 to demonstrate that Prime Minister Boris Johnson's plans have MPs' support.
However, European leaders have reacted tepidly to the proposals, with Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins stating that if the UK's offer is a 'take-it-or-leave-it' deal, it will be 'very difficult' to reach an agreement.
Johnson has begun phoning European leaders to sell his proposals, but has so far received scant encouragement for a deal based around them. The EU's top negotiator, Michel Barnier, has stated that while an agreement is still possible, it will be 'very difficult to reach.'
Despite British MPs passing a law last month that requires Johnson to seek another Brexit delay if he fails to secure an agreement by the end of the summit, Barclay has reiterated that the government will comply with the legislation.
However, in identical articles for two Brexit-backing British tabloids, Johnson insisted that the country will leave the EU on October 31, stating that 'there will be no more dither or delay.'
