‘Once bitten, twice shy’: Why readers say EU is right to futureproof any Brexit reset deal

Iindependent Readers have weighed in on reports that the EU wants to include the so-called “Farage clause” in any post-Brexit reset deal with Britain, a provision designed to protect Brussels in case a future British government tears up the deal.

The proposed clause, reportedly included in draft talks on a veterinary agreement that would cut red tape for UK food and drink exporters, would require the UK to pay compensation if it withdraws unilaterally.

Nigel Farage responded by saying he would simply “break” such a deal and insisted no parliament could bind his successor.

However, many readers strongly disagreed with this claim. Commentators have repeatedly argued that although this principle applies to domestic legislation, international agreements are legally binding and subject to established rules.

Far from seeing the clause as a punitive clause, many said it reflected standard international practice and was a rational response to years of Brexit-related instability in UK politics.

Others have argued that the EU is right to future-proof any deal against political fluctuations, especially given the possibility of a Reform UK entering government.

Here’s what you need to say:

No anchor to reality

As always, Farage plays to the sycophants but has no basis in reality.

It is true that a parliament cannot bind its successor in terms of legislation. If Labor passes legislation seeking closer ties with the EU, Farage’s government could repeal it.

But this is not the same as an international agreement. Farage will need to meet the terms of withdrawing from the deal. If it did not do this, the United Kingdom would be in breach; It is an extremely serious matter for a country to do this, not least because of the lack of confidence it would create in the conduct of any future agreement with the UK. There would be chaos.

So, while Farage huffs and puffs, the EU is fully justified in introducing compensation clauses in the event of a unilateral UK withdrawal, and can fully expect the UK to pay that compensation.

Yeravinalarf

A businessman who does not understand contracts

Farage, as a so-called businessman, appears to have little knowledge of contracts, let alone international regulations. Given how much it already costs the UK, people need to understand how damaging it can be.

Like it or not, reducing the unnecessary bureaucracy of trading with the EU can only be a good thing. Ask the farmers and fishermen who believed in Farage for the first time!

so scary

Once bitten, twice shy

I don’t blame the EU for wanting any deal to be future-proofed. I have long thought that one of the difficulties of the rejoin movement was that re-admitting the UK would be risky for the EU as long as Brexit remained a party political issue. We won’t get through Brexit until the Conservatives accept it’s a lost cause and Reformation support wanes.

Tanaquil2

A painful analogy of divorce

Maybe it’s better for the EU to leave us alone.

Let’s face it, we are a country that still does not realize the great harm we have done to ourselves by leaving the EU. Half of us still blame the EU for our departure. He focused his anger on his ex-wife, just like an angry husband leaves his wife and children and is left with lifelong regret. Selfish, still unable to accept divorce when his supposed privileges are at stake. And what’s worse is that he’s better off without her.

Because when it comes to the EU, this is obviously Farage’s story; Half the country is considering making him prime minister.

So a smart EU actually sets some standards and legal demands when it comes to such an ex-wife. Because there is so little love left. And the world has changed. With Russia and the US playing imperial games, it would be best for the EU to recognize its own needs before inviting a potential fifth column into its ranks.

Because let’s face it, it is not the European dream that drives Britain’s aspirations, but the desire for the privileges, especially financial privileges, that are stripped from them by divorce once they get there. This is everything. There is no heart devoted to Europe, as Farage’s followers would claim; they are British!

So let it be a cold piece of paper. Legal paper that leaves nothing to chance. It contains penalties for non-compliance.

The last thing Europe needs is another British divorce.

Brad

A risky reset

Starmer and Labor must not ignore the fact that this government is very unpopular and will likely be defeated at the next general election.

So far it’s hard to see any clear benefit in any of Starmer’s reset deals with Brussels.

For example, the Erasmus deal will cost the UK at least £570 million a year and will likely benefit twice as many EU students as British students.

Meanwhile, the Turing scheme that replaced Erasmus in the UK is now well established, meaning the demand for Erasmus from our own students is further reduced. This program is much more affordable and has a much higher participation rate than Erasmus has ever had. But Starmer had to reset, right? I can hear the laughter in Brussels from here.

Ian Robinson

Who can blame them?

What a contradiction. The UK is desperate for any deal with the EU that would ease the financial turmoil, border controls, red tape and more caused by Brexit, as well as improving its economic prospects and easing some of the cost of living of the crisis, but this will certainly come at a cost for both parties.

Meanwhile, AB is, how to say, once bitten and twice shy. With any deal likely to take months, if not a year or two, to be struck, the EU is determined to guard against Farage or any other changes led by the UK that could lead to the deal being abandoned and the EU picking up the tab for major changes that would upend administrative and border infrastructure. Who can blame them?

Ambigirls

A mess the EU should avoid

More importantly, this shows Farage as Prime Minister is a real possibility. We have become an untouchable mess in relation to the EU. We have always been seen as outsiders. I distinctly remember, before Brexit, as we were leaving to vote for this or that, one of the MPs said: “We are being blocked by the British again.” We never got along well.

Michael

It’s better to be safe than sorry

The EU is being cautious and very wise after all the riots and unpleasantness caused by the UK. Although I think Reformation is starting to unravel and will probably disappear by the next general election, like Ukip and the Brexit Party, it is better to be safe than sorry.

HASTINGSPIER

Some of the comments in this article have been edited for brevity and clarity.

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