Farage says Barnier is offering NOTHING to UK
Evening all. Just been reading the following: Looks like stormy waters ahead......
Nigel Farage met with Michael Barnier on Monday after the former Ukip leader demanded he discuss key Brexit issues with the EU official.
Appearing on BBC Daily Politics, Mr Farage said: "The UK has already given too much money to Brussels in order to get on to the second stage of trade talks and it is time for Michael Barnier to "give something".
The British Government has given a hell of a lot already. It's now time for Barnier to give something. He wasn't in that mood this morning".
Nigel Farage said Michael Barnier only wants the import and export of goods to be included in a final Brexit deal. He said: "They sell us 80 billion euros worth of chocolate, cars and wine every year more than we sell them. "But when I mentioned that services and financial services have been part of this package, I saw his whole body language change. He literally stiffened up and said: "No, that simply can't be".
The former Ukip leader hit back and said Britain should not "waste years" attempting to get a full trade deal and should walk away.
He said: "If we are going to enter a period of negotiations where, given the amount we've conceded in phase one, if he is not prepared to make some concessions on that then I think the big change in the debate will come in 2018.
"Big voices" in business will demand Brexit does not "waste years and years" and will insist Britain falls under WTO rules.
During the meeting, Mr Barnier said a "no deal" Brexit will have "bad consequences" for both Britain and the European Union
Mr Farage said in response that a "no deal" Brexit would hurt Europe far more than Britain. He said: "Not only do they sell us more goods than we sell them but actually the truth of it is our financial services sector, we are the investment bankers for the rest of Europe.
Hmmm, Barnier playing hardball from the start. I do hope Theresa grows a pair in phase two and fights our corner as it should be. No more concessions, get in there and fight our corner as it should be fought. If I was being truthful, I truly wish we had a Brexit Hardliner in there instead of TM.