Inside Politics: No 10 rejects EU offer to restart Brexit talks

Boris Johnson’s team wants further assurances from the EU that concessions will be made, writes Adam Forrest

No 10 negotiator David Frost (AFP via Getty Images)

Maybe Nasa could take over the Brexit negotiations? The space agency is building an internet connection on the moon so robots and astronauts can communicate effectively up there. Down here, Boris Johnson’s team is struggling to communicate effectively with the other side of the English Channel. The robots at No 10 haven’t stopped transmitting signals to Brussels – but they claim they haven’t yet received the right kind of noises from the EU to begin talking like human beings again.

Inside the bubble

Chief political commentator John Rentoul on what to look out for today:

Cabinet meeting this morning, after which Boris Johnson and Michael Gove speak to business leaders about their readiness for leaving the EU single market on 1 January, which will be awkward because no one knows if we will be paying tariffs on EU trade or not. Elsewhere, schools minister Nick Gibb gives evidence to the education select committee of MPs at 10am on the go-ahead for exams in England to take place three weeks late.  

Daily briefing

HIGH NOON: Leaders in Greater Manchester have been handed a deadline – accept tier 3 status by midday today or else. Communities secretary Robert Jenrick said the PM would decide on next steps if an agreement cannot be reached, with the clear implication the area will be forced to accept the highest restrictions. Monday afternoon’s meeting went badly, after mayor Andy Burnham and regional leaders thought the government was going to agree to a “hardship fund” helping local authorities top-up the wages of workers hit by closures. “It was both surprising and disappointing when this idea was taken off the table by the secretary of state,” said Burnham and Richard Leese, Manchester City Council’s leader. Leese added: “If government imposes tier 3 … we will clearly need to comply.” Health secretary Matt Hancock suggested South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Teesside and other parts of the north east could be heading for tier 3 restrictions – with more fraught meetings with local leaders set for this week.

PHOENIX FROM THE FLAMES: Halloween and Bonfire Night gatherings have been scrapped across Wales after first minister Mark Drakeford announced a national “firebreak” lockdown from 6pm this Friday until 9 November. Chancellor Rishi Sunak made clear his scheme to cover 66 per cent of hospitality workers’ wages (due to start on 1 November) won’t be brought forward to cover the Welsh lockdown. Meanwhile, the government’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance issued a grim warning that coronavirus will probably never disappear and will become as “endemic” as the flu. He also told a committee of MPs that both ministers and experts should stop “over-promising” about a vaccine. Sir Patrick said it was unlikely it would be in “widespread use” before spring. Elsewhere, Hancock said quick result coronavirus tests will be trialled in parts of northern England where cases are surging, claiming they showed “real promise” to provide “a path back to normal life”. What was that about overpromising?

SHOVE YOUR OLIVE BRANCH: Has the EU done enough to break the Brexit deadlock? Not quite, said No 10. Brussels negotiator Michel Barnier said the bloc was prepared to “intensify” talks all areas of disagreement, including fishing and competition, “based on legal texts” – as per No 10’s request. But Downing Street rejected the olive branch. It is understood Boris Johnson’s team now wants further assurances that the EU accepts it will have to make concessions – particularly on fishing rights. David Frost said Monday’s chat with Barnier was “constructive”, but added: “The EU still needs to make a fundamental change in approach to the talks.” Frost and Barnier are expected to talk again over the next couple of days. Michael Gove was in chipper mood in the Commons about the state of play, saying “I prefer to look forward in optimism rather than to look back in anger.” Mr Glass Half Full also claimed Brexit lorry parks would create some wonderful new jobs.

THE HORROR, THE HORROR: Theresa May was seen screwing her face up in horror at Michael Gove’s remarks on post-Brexit security. Gove replied to the former PM’s question about the terrible prospect of failing to agree a deal over information sharing by claiming security cooperation with the EU would be even better after Brexit – causing May to display her disgust and exclaim: “Whaaat?” Over in the Lords, the Archbishop of Canterbury denied religious leaders are “misinformed” for criticising the government’s Brexit bill, while former Speaker Betty Boothroyd said trust had “collapsed” over the government’s Brexit failings. Meanwhile, Robert Peston claimed the PM still doesn’t know if he actually wants a deal with the EU. One of Johnson’s close colleagues told the ITV host: “The PM is in two minds constantly over this. He doesn’t know whether he really wants one [a deal] so no one else [around him] does.” God help us.

SPY GAMES: British agents managed to thwart a plot by the Russians to hack the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and disrupt the broadcasting of the opening ceremony, the Foreign Office has revealed. Foreign secretary Dominic Raab described the GRU’s attempts “cynical and reckless” – and pledged that the UK would continue to “counter future malicious cyberattacks”. While Raab hailed British brilliance in matters of international intrigue, his cabinet colleague Matt Hancock was caught out without a mask on in the back of his ministerial car. How mundane. Downing Street said it has advised all ministers to wear face coverings in the back of the chauffeur-driven cars. The health secretary was said to have worn a mask for part of his journey – but took it off as he neared the department.

MIC CHECKED: Donald Trump has been busy moaning about almost every aspect of the final TV debate scheduled for Nashville this Thursday – including the topics he and Joe Biden get to talk about. He accused organisers of bias by leaving foreign policy out of the discussion, referring to the commission’s “pro-Biden antics”. Trump also accused NBC host Kristen Welker of being a “radical Democrat” and a “fake news reporter”. The Biden camp claimed the Republican was just trying to dodge “more questions about his disastrous Covid response”. The good news is that new rules introduced for this debate mean their microphones will be muted while the other speaks. Both candidates will get two minutes to make their remarks without interruption. I’m sure Trump will still find a way of causing chaos.

On the record

“Never witnessed such a collapse of the people’s trust in a government that promised so much and so quickly – and is now groping for desperate solutions to problems they said would never arise, or if they do could be easily resolved.”

Former Speaker Betty Boothroyd condemns the PM’s approach to Brexit.

From the Twitterati

“The expression on Theresa May’s face was hilarious when Michael Gove claimed … better security arrangements outwith the EU than in it. Even fellow Tories can see the utter charlatanism on display as we career towards Brexit endgame.”

The SNP’s Joanna Cherry QC enjoyed it when May screwed up her face...

“Theresa May’s reaction to Michael Gove speaks for the nation.”

...and Labour’s David Lammy said May screwed up her face for all of us.  

Essential reading

Andrew Grice, The Independent: Boris Johnson has taken a political hit over the Manchester stand-off

Sean O’Grady, The Independent: Joe Biden could be very bad news for Boris Johnson’s Britain

Robert Peston, The Spectator: Is Boris Johnson getting ready to blow up a trade deal?

Michelle Goldberg, The New York Times: Is the Trump campaign colluding with Russia again?

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