EU's Rejection of Post-Brexit Plan

What is the issue?

• United Kingdom's PM Theresa May’s post-Brexit blueprint was rejected by the European Union.
• With this, the British PM’s position stands weakened.

What are the disputes?

• Ms.May's proposal, adopted by the Cabinet in July, 2018, has deepened divisions among the supporters of her Conservative Party.
• A controversial idea in the July white paper is for a hybrid arrangement.
• Under this, it was proposed that Britain would stay in the common market only for trade in goods and agriculture.
• It would not include the obligations of free movement of people.
• The EU is not ready to allow being choosy when it comes to its four basic freedoms - of movement of capital, goods, services, and labour.
• The other dispute is over the post-Brexit status of the soft border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
• Maintaining the status quo is critical to keeping the peace under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday agreement.
• The agreement helped bring to an end a period of conflict in the Ireland region.

What is the implication?

• European Council President said that the July proposals were not workable. Click here to know more on EU's demands

• With the rejection, Ms. May would now face a possible backlash at the Conservative party conference this month.
• Also, elections to the European Parliament are due next year.
• With this, the leaders are keen that the anti-EU parties see the economic and political perils of quitting the bloc.
• Brexit uncertainty will continue to be an issue, meanwhile.

Source: The Hindu