Yahoo Finance Ministers forced to miss major EU meetings by Tory Brexit rebellion
Two Cabinet ministers are missing major meetings in Brussels today as the government attempts to see off a Conservative rebellion over its customs bill.
Dominic Raab will not attend the start of the latest round of Brexit negotiations with Michel Barnier – the first since he took over as Brexit secretary following the resignation of David Davis.
Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt is also missing the EU foreign affairs council – his first opportunity to sit down with many of his continental counterparts since replacing Boris Johnson.
Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan has represented the UK at previous meetings, but neither he nor any other minister will attend this time.
UK government representatives said the ministers were not able to attend the meeting because of parliamentary commitments.
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The meetings clash with crucial Commons votes on the government’s trade bill.
Government whips are rallying loyalists in a bid to defeat a rebellion from Conservative Brexiteers unhappy with Theresa May’s vision for the future relationship with the EU.
They have put down amendments aimed at killing off the prime minister’s plan for a ‘facilitated customs arrangement’ – a key part of the government’s Brexit White Paper.
As well as being needed in the lobbies, Politico reported that Raab will also tonight address the summer drinks reception of a right-wing think-tank.
Labour’s Jenny Chapman said: “Over the past week the Government’s Brexit strategy has descended into utter chaos.
“But rather than trying to repair the damage and negotiate with Brussels, the new Brexit Secretary has decided to take the evening off and attend a summer drinks reception.
“This is simply not good enough. Dominic Raab needs to rethink his priorities.”
Brexit talks will continue at a civil service level in Raab’s absence – as was the case for much of the time while Davis was Brexit Secretary.
Davis visited Brussels just twice in 2018 before his resignation.
Raab will travel to Brussels to Brussels on Thursday – the final day of this week’s talks – to meet EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier face-to-face for the first time.
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The EU have called for a higher level of engagement in talks from the UK to unlock a stalemate in talks which has led to increased warnings about the prospect of a ‘no deal’ Brexit.
European Commission chief spokesman told Yahoo recently: “Experience shows that commitment at political level facilitates the process.”
The UK will also be represented at the EU’s foreign affairs council by civil servants.
Government officials point out this is not unusual and Hunt visited Brussels for last week’s Nato summit where he met a number of EU heads of state.
First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, is in Brussels today to meet Barnier and deliver a speech on Brexit at a think tank event.
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