oh dear: Accept free movement or EU will restrict single market access, Angela Merkel

[AtW]

Accept free movement or EU will restrict single market access, Angela Merkel warns Theresa May

"Angela Merkel has stepped up pressure on Theresa May over Brexit by saying that the European Union must consider limiting UK access to the single market if it fails to accept free movement of EU citizens.

The German chancellor repeated her mantra that there must be no negotiations based on "cherry picking" of the Union's four freedoms of movement for capital, goods, services and people.

Her comments came as the Prime Minister played down suggestions that she was ruling out single market membership by insisting on the UK regaining control over immigration.

Speaking to civil servants in Cologne, Mrs Merkel said it was important for the EU to make clear that "access to the single market can only be possible on the condition of respecting the four basic freedoms. Otherwise one has to talk about limits"."

Accept free movement or EU will restrict single market access, Angela Merkel warns Theresa May

[NickFitz]

She hasn't "stepped up pressure" at all. She's repeating the same thing the EU has been saying all along - no access to the single market without freedom of movement.

The only thing that's news here is that the Tories seem to be quietly backing off on their attempts to con the British public into thinking they can have their cake and eat it. "May Backtracks On Deception" is what the headline should say

[GB9]

Why 'oh dear'?

No one cares about the single market.

[vetran]

Why 'oh dear'?

No one cares about the single market.

oh lots do, without the tariffs & protectionism most of the EU will go bankrupt. Juncker, Tusk & Co will have to survive on a few million euros pension.

[OwlHoot]

She hasn't "stepped up pressure" at all. She's repeating the same thing the EU has been saying all along - no access to the single market without freedom of movement.

The only thing that's news here is that the Tories seem to be quietly backing off on their attempts to con the British public into thinking they can have their cake and eat it. "May Backtracks On Deception" is what the headline should say

Yup, the two are inseparable for Eurocrats.

It's worrying (for most Brexiters) that May keeps going on about the free market. Mentioned it twice in her weekend speech I think.

[NickFitz]

Yup, the two are inseparable for Eurocrats.

It's worrying (for most Brexiters) that May keeps going on about the free market. Mentioned it twice in her weekend speech I think.

It's worrying for everyone that we have a Prime Minister who very obviously doesn't have a clue what to do and daren't admit it

[jamesbrown]

She hasn't "stepped up pressure" at all. She's repeating the same thing the EU has been saying all along - no access to the single market without freedom of movement.

The only thing that's news here is that the Tories seem to be quietly backing off on their attempts to con the British public into thinking they can have their cake and eat it. "May Backtracks On Deception" is what the headline should say

To give you the benefit of the doubt, I assume you understand that it's technically impossible to "prevent" access to a marketplace without imposing sanctions, which I assume you're not talking about. So, what, precisely, do you mean by "no access"? No "tariff free" access? No access that is tariff free and without administrative impediments? An elementary degree of precision would help.

[BlasterBates]

I think she does, she's just waiting for her ministers to catch up.

The key to understanding her thinking is realising the significance of not wanting a points system. That's the point when at least Nigel Farage realised that the UK is heading for a Norway solution. Basically she'll hammer out a compromise with the EU on "automatic" work visas, so that she can say that the UK has "control of its borders".

[AtW]

The key to understanding her thinking is realising the significance of not wanting a points system. That's the point when at least Nigel Farage realised that the UK is heading for a Norway solution.

Norway got oil and gas, plus they were given such good deal in hope that they'll become a full EU member in the future, this logic does not work the other way around - leaving EU is bad thing, so no good deals will be offered.

[jamesbrown]

I think she does, she's just waiting for her ministers to catch up.

The key to understanding her thinking is realising the significance of not wanting a points system. That's the point when at least Nigel Farage realised that the UK is heading for a Norway solution. Basically she'll hammer out a compromise with the EU on "automatic" work visas, so that she can say that the UK has "control of its borders".

The opposite of what BB said.