Theresa May’s ‘prestigious’ slot for speech to EU leaders
Theresa May was given the prestigious 1am slot for her address to EU leaders. Maybe sensing some fidgeting in the room, the PM trimmed down her remarks from the 15 minutes allocated by Donald Tusk, the European Council President, and spoke for around five minutes instead.
It underlines how difficult it is going to be for the UK to remain a “full” member of the EU as it approaches difficult negotiations and puts is hand on the door handle marked “exit”.
Last night, Britain tried to weigh in with France and Germany and others to push for sanctions against Russia over its conduct in Syria. These would be added to the sanctions brought in over Russia’s conduct in Ukraine. Italy led a pushback which coincides with the moment that a massive Russian fleet sails past Dover this morning* en route to Syria to blast Aleppo
On trade, Donald Tusk suggested that the stalling of the Canada/EU trade deal (talks still happening on that so there could be movement) might mean it’s the last free trade deal the EU attempts. Brexiteers might say that all proves the sclerotic nature of the EU they’ve always complained about. But a bumper UK/EU free trade deal has always been at the heart of their assumptions about why life on the outside might be better for the UK.
* In case, like me, you were wondering about how a major military fleet can sail within sight of Britain along the Channel on a mission which the UK deeply disapproves of, I’ve been checking in with people who should know.
The English Channel is classed as an “international strait,” a hybrid between the high seas and territorial waters. Foreign navies can sail through and can even have helicopters flying ahead of their aircraft carrier but they are not meant to manoeuvre (launch any kind of military action or reconnaissance) in these waters. There are traffic separation schemes they are supposed to stick with and, so far, Russia has been playing by the rules as this fleet sails down the North Sea.
This is in contrast to the (roughly) monthly appearances of Russian bombers close to British airspace. The last was three days ago. British military jets are regularly scrambled to monitor and discourage them.
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