In news that should surprise no one, other European leaders have rejected UK prime minister David Cameron’s plan to restrict benefits provided to migrants for four years. The PM put a brave face on it, saying that he sees a “pathway to an agreement”. And Mama Merkel added that ”We all agree this is something that cannot happen now but it could take place later”.
But what happens next?
Well, there’s a follow-up summit on 18 February. Between now and then, the prime minister has to make it look like Britain has won a substantial concession from the EU that favours British interests. The EU has to pretend to make those concessions. Then the British people can safely be given a voice on whether Britain should stay in or leave the EU.
Immigration, of course, is just one of the issues between Britain and the EU. It’s a big one. Europe is in the middle of its largest migration crisis since the end of World War Two. You can have free movement of people within Europe’s borders. But there are more and more people in Europe in favour of putting walls on the borders.
Category: Brexit