Former EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier says Boris Johnson’s approach to Brexit was driven by what he describes as pragmatism and “cynicism” aimed at gaining power. Speaking about personal interactions with Johnson’s father during a weekend in France, Barnier recalls that Boris Johnson initially appeared “much more European,” even while being critical of aspects of the EU. He argues that, rather than a consistent underlying motivation, Johnson’s support for Brexit can be seen as an “attitude” or method in a politically unstable world. Barnier also comments on the EU’s future, saying it is “perfectly possible” the United Kingdom could rejoin the European Union. He adds that the prospect of re-entry may involve the UK using earlier arrangements, including “old opt-outs.” The remarks frame Brexit as influenced by political tactics and changing positions, while also suggesting that UK-EU relations could shift again in coming years. Overall, Barnier presents the idea of UK rejoining as feasible, while describing Johnson’s role as shaped by power considerations rather than a purely ideological drive.
Michel Barnier discusses Boris Johnson, Brexit and potential UK re-entry to the EU
Former EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier says Boris Johnson’s approach to Brexit was driven by what he describes as pragmatism and “cynicism” aimed at gaining power. Speaking about personal interacti...
- Michel Barnier says Boris Johnson’s early stance appeared “more European,” despite being critical.
- Barnier characterizes Johnson’s Brexit approach as pragmatism mixed with “cynicism” to gain power.
- Barnier suggests it is “perfectly possible” the UK could rejoin the EU in the future.
- Barnier says re-entry could involve the UK having “old opt-outs.”
- Barnier’s comments draw on recollections of a weekend discussion with Boris Johnson’s father in France.
Former negotiator believes in an unstable world, it is ‘perfectly possible’ the UK can rejoin the EU with old opt-outsA couple of years ago, Michel Barnier spent a weekend with Boris Johnson’s father, Stanley. It was not some ghoulish Brexit spin-off of The Traitors, but the result of the former EU negotiator’s wife, Isabelle, being a close friend of Johnson’s French cousin, Anne du Boucheron, the owner of Château de la Baronnière, a 19th-century estate in Mauges-sur-Loire, in western France.“We spent a weekend together in a French castle. Very friendly. Long promenades in the forest,” Barnier recalls of Johnson senior, with whom he discussed the former prime minister’s motivation to back Brexit. “It was interesting. Boris was much more European at the beginning. Even if he was critical. I don’t see it as a motivation but it is, perhaps, a method or attitude: to be pragmatic in some way. Cynical. Cynical to get power.” Continue reading...
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