08 June 2018

House of Lords: UK and EU need to compromise for a fruitful post-Brexit relationship

Key findings

The EU Committee's report argues that the UK and EU have approached the negotiations with too great a focus on 'red lines', increasing the risk that they will be left without an agreement on the future relationship. It calls on both sides to focus on identifying benefits, and areas of mutual interest, and to acknowledge that compromises will be needed.

The Committee emphasises the critical importance of the Government bringing forward detailed, workable proposals in time to influence the drafting of the October 'political declaration' which will set out the framework for future UK-EU relations.

The Committee also argues that the greater the benefits sought from the new relationship, the greater the compromises that will be needed. Forming a deep and durable partnership will entail trade-offs, and there will be “no free lunch” for either the UK or the EU.

How close are the two sides to agreement?

As part of the report, the Committee has published a colour-coded table showing the extent of agreement between the Government, the European Council and the European Parliament, across all policy areas. The Committee will update this table over coming months to reflect progress in negotiations.

UK Government and EU positions on future UK-EU relations 

Report: UK-EU relations after Brexit

© House of Lords