Following the Prime Minister's statement on the recent meeting of the European Council, Jonathan Djanogly asks the PM if the leaders of the 27 countries remaining in the EU are more optimistic about the future than the EU bureaucrats.
Mr Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon) (Con)
In contrast to the disappointment coming consistently from the bureaucracy of Europe, in my right hon. Friend’s discussions with the leadership—the politicians—of Europe and individual member states, is the position more nuanced? Is there hope for optimism?
The Prime Minister
Yes, there is hope for optimism. Obviously, we are negotiating a future partnership. One of the interesting issues is that the EU27 are themselves starting to think about their future and the nature of the relationship and arrangements they will have. We are working to negotiate that deal. As I indicated to the hon. Member for Penistone and Stocksbridge (Angela Smith), we will start those trade negotiations on the same basis of trading, which will make it easier for us, as it will not need to be as bureaucratic as it might in other circumstances.