Brexit showdown: Boris to stand firm on NO MORE delays as PM meets VDL today – Express.co.uk, Express.co.uk

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BORIS JOHNSON will tell chief eurocrat Ursula von der Leyen that Britain will not allow any extensions to the Brexit transition period when they meet for their first face-to-face talks on Wednesday. The Prime Minister will insist Britons and citizens across the rest of the European Union have had enough after three years of talks.

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********************The Premier Boris Johnson will have talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyden(Image: Getty)****************Frau von der Leyen will head to Downing Street for the first time since taking over as European Commission president from Jean-Claude Juncker.Mr Johnson will say he wants to secure a trade deal with the EU by the end of December when the transition period that keeps existing rules in place ends. Number 80 said the PM will insist talks on future relations with the bloc will be based on an ambitious free trading agreement rather than continuing to align with rules made in Brussels. European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer said the meeting would “set the scene” for the next round of negotiations but would not mark the start of full trade talks because the remaining the EU nations have not yet agreed to a mandate.

“This is not a meeting that will go into the details of the trade negotiation per se, “he added.Downing Street hinted earlier in the week that the Government could conduct post-Brexit trade talks with the US in parallel with those with the EU.The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said the UK would be “free to hold trade discussions with countries across the world” after it has left the bloc at the end of the month.It followed rep orts that Mr Johnson’s ministers are split over how best to negotiate a new trade deal with the EU, with some figures, including Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and International Trade Secretary Liz Truss, reportedly pushing for parallel talks with the US to put pressure on the EU .********************

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Boris Johnson no longer has to deal with Jean-Claude Juncker(Image: Getty)MPs debated plans to rule out a transition period extension in law as the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill continued its passage through Parliament on Tuesda y night.Discussions will continue in the Commons on Wednesday and Thursday before the legislation goes before peers next week.Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay told MPs: “This Bill implements the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated by the Prime Minister. It fulfils the will of the British people and will set the stage for our bright future outside of the European Union.

It lets us take back control of our laws, our money, our borders and our trade policy.

“This Bill delivers on the overwhelming mandate given to us by the British people to get Brexit done by the end of January . “**********************Opposition parties have tabled a number of amendments to the legislation, with Labor trying to force ministers to seek a two-year extension to the transition period if a trade deal has not been agreed by mid-June.

But Mr Johnson’s – strong majority means the attempts to thwart his EU departu re plans are doomed to defeat.The Bill cleared its first Commons hurdle before Christmas with a majority of (*********************************************************.************ (Parliamentary officials expect it to receive Royal Assent by January************************************ at the latest and it will then need to be ratified by the European Parliament.***********************************************************

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