In the Press - 'Watered down' Northern Ireland backstop raises deal hopes
15 September 2019
The Sunday Times
Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform, nevertheless believes Johnson could benefit from a change of mood in Paris and Berlin following positive visits to both cities last month. But he warns this could take time to permeate through to Barnier’s team in Brussels. “There seems to be some difference of emphasis between the national capitals, which are more optimistic and believe Boris may well be serious about getting a deal, and the officials based in Brussels, who have experienced Frost’s hard red lines and uncompromising stance and are more sceptical that a deal is feasible,” Grant said.
In the Press - DUP opens door to new Brexit deal for Boris Johnson
13 September 2019
The Times
Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform, said that a deal by October 31 was now “more likely than I had thought”.
In the Press - Boris Johnson claims his team has 'rough outline' of a Brexit deal amid claims of 'growing optimism' in Brussels
12 September 2019
The Daily Mail
Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform think-tank, said there was growing optimism in Brussels that a deal was possible on the backstop – the controversial measure designed to prevent the re-emergence of a hard border across Ireland. Mr Grant said officials were indicating a deal was ‘more likely than I thought’. He added: ‘Senior figures on the EU side say they can scrap the backstop as long as alternatives deliver on protecting the single market and the Good Friday Agreement.
In the Press - Barnier rejects Brexit extension without 'concrete' proposals
12 September 2019
City A.M
The Centre for European Reform’s director Charles Grant has tweeted a lengthy thread suggesting that EU officials are onboard with this in theory.“France, Germany, Commission could go along with this, but only if UK produces serious proposals, which it has not yet done. It would have to accept role for ECJ,” he wrote. “The other member-states do not want to put pressure on Ireland. But if the UK gets serious about a deal and shows flexibility, there would be gentle encouragement for Dublin to accept something almost equivalent to backstop.”
In the Press - Brexit deal is possible, says Centre for European Reform's Grant
12 September 2019
Reuters
A Brexit deal between the European Union and the United Kingdom is possible, the head of the Centre for European Reform think tank, Charles Grant, said on Thursday. “A deal between EU and UK is more likely than I had thought - my conclusion,” Grant said on Twitter.
In the Press - UK 'Ireland-specific' Brexit plan meets Brussels skepticism
12 September 2019
Politico
Sam Lowe, a trade expert with the Centre for European Reform think tank, warned that moving customs checks was not a magic solution. "You have to police businesses that don’t play by the rules. That’s still quite disruptive and risks to undermine the peace process and disrupt the all-Ireland economy," he said.
In the Press - The 'Boris Bridge'? PM puts price tag on 'very good' idea
12 September 2019
City A.M
A 22-mile bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland would not be impossible – the longest bridge in the world, the Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge in China, is over 102 miles long.But trade expert and senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform think tank Sam Lowe told City A.M. it was unlikely to solve any Brexit-related issues.“It remains unclear why putting a customs border in the middle of a bridge running over the Irish Sea is more palatable to the DUP than a customs border in it,” he said.
In the Press - Brexit LIVE: EU 'impressed with Johnson' and could 'scrap backstop' - Major breakthrough
12 September 2019
The Express
Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform, said: “A deal between EU and UK is more likely than I had thought - my conclusion after 2 days of meetings with EU, member-state and UK officials.”He added Boris Johnson has made "quite a good impression" with Brussels chiefs.
In the Press - The economic policy at the heart of Europe is creaking
12 September 2019
The Economist
“The single market is not a project people can get behind,” says Christian Odendahl of the Centre for European Reform. “It isn’t a vote-winner.”
In the Press - Will Boris Johnson solve Irish border issue in Brexit talks?
12 September 2019
Financial Times
Sam Lowe of the Centre for European Reform said: “If I was Boris Johnson, I’d ditch the DUP for a Northern Ireland-only backstop. I think his party could live with it.”
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Future events
Labour Party Conference fringe event on 'What route out of the Brexit maze?'
24 September 2019
Speakers:
Hilary Benn, MP & Chair, Committee on Exiting the European Union
Carolyn Fairbairn, Director-General, Confederation of British Industry
Keir Starmer, MP & Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union
Chair: Charles Grant, Director, Centre for European Reform
Please note this event is within the secure area, so passes...
Hilary Benn, MP & Chair, Committee on Exiting the European Union
Carolyn Fairbairn, Director-General, Confederation of British Industry
Keir Starmer, MP & Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union
Chair: Charles Grant, Director, Centre for European Reform
Please note this event is within the secure area, so passes...
Conservative Party Conference fringe event on 'What route out of the Brexit maze?'
01 October 2019
Speakers:
Carolyn Fairbairn, Director-General, Confederation of British Industry
Dominic Grieve, MP for Beaconsfield
Greg Hands, MP for Chelsea & Fulham
Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith and The Border
Chair: Charles Grant, Director, Centre for European Reform
Please note this event is within the secure area, so passes will be needed.
Carolyn Fairbairn, Director-General, Confederation of British Industry
Dominic Grieve, MP for Beaconsfield
Greg Hands, MP for Chelsea & Fulham
Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith and The Border
Chair: Charles Grant, Director, Centre for European Reform
Please note this event is within the secure area, so passes will be needed.