Barnier: EU ready to renegotiate Brexit deal if UK ‘shifts red lines’

Michel Barnier has responded to the crushing defeat of the Brexit deal he brokered with the UK government by offering to reopen negotiations – but only if the UK “shifts” its red lines.

The EU chief negotiator insisted the withdrawal agreement rejected by MPs on Tuesday remains the “best possible compromise” considering Theresa May’s aims of leaving the customs union and single market.

But Barnier opened the door to a new deal being forged if the cross-party talks promised by the prime minister leads to the UK seeking a closer relationship with the EU.

Speaking at the European parliament in Strasbourg, the French politician said: “If the UK chooses to shift its red lines in the future and if it makes the choice to be more ambitious, to go beyond a simple free trade agreement, then the EU would be immediately ready to go hand in hand with that development and to give a favorable response.”

Guy Verhofstadt, the European parliament’s Brexit coordinator, also urged MPs to “come out of the trenches” and work across parties to “redefine the red lines which were unilaterally imposed by the hardliners in the Conservative party.”

Their comments were a nod towards growing momentum behind a Norway-style deal, which would keep the UK in the customs union and single market.

However, the Economist’s Intelligence Unit believe that remains unlikely as MPs may fear being punished by voters for pursuing a Brexit path that retains free movement of labour—a central issue for “Leave” voters—and forces the UK to contribute to the EU budget and apply part of its policies without having a say on them.

Barnier said that “future steps must be indicated very clearly by the British government” and appeared more concerned about the prospect of a no-deal Brexit after the Commons vote.

“We are fearing more than ever that there is a risk of a no deal,” he said, as the clock ticks down towards the March 29 date at which the UK is scheduled to leave the EU.

Conservative MEP Syed Kamall said the EU would “have to wait a little longer” for clarity about the UK’s next move as May consulted opposition parties in a bid to find a way forward.

He also urged the European commission to learn the lessons from their 2015 renegotiation of Britain’s membership terms with the then prime minister David Cameron.

Arguing that some “tweaks” to that deal would have prevented the Brexit vote, he added: “I believe it would be a great pity if no further efforts were made to try to reach an agreement to try to help the British prime minister to forge an agreement at Westminster.”

Manfred Weber, leader of the largest group in the European parliament and the frontrunner to become the next commission president, warned though that the EU will have its own demands, such as continued freedom of movement, if negotiations are reopened.

READ MORE: EU ready for new talks with May after Brexit deal defeat

Many MEPs said the impasse at Westminster means the issue should be solved by a fresh referendum.

“Either a positive and credible majority on Brexit takes shape in the Parliament or you need to put the question back to the people,” said Robert Gualtieri, the Brexit spokesperson for Labour’s group in the European parliament.

UKIP MEP Nigel Farage said his continental colleagues would be “in for a big surprise” if there is a second Brexit vote.

“The British may be a very placid people, very laid back but I promise you that if they get pushed too far it’s a lion that will roar,” he said. “We will be even more defiant if we have to fight a second referendum and we’ll win it by a bigger majority.”

READ MORE: EU leaders give ‘solemn’ backstop reassurances to May ahead of Brexit vote