Michel Barnier Rules Out UK Single Market Selection and Budget Rebate

Former European Union chief negotiator Michel Barnier has stated that the United Kingdom will not be permitted to pick and choose specific elements of the EU single market. Speaking in an interview, Barnier also indicated that EU member states would reject any proposal to restore the financial rebate previously granted to London.

The British budget rebate was originally negotiated in 1985 to reduce the country’s net contributions to the annual EU budget while it remained a member state. Barnier stated that the decision by the UK to exit the bloc established a new situation, making any return to the former financial mechanism impossible for non-member states.

During the broadcast, Barnier also addressed domestic political movements surrounding Brexit, drawing parallels between Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and French politician Marine Le Pen. He characterized their political arguments as based on unachievable claims regarding the economic benefits of exiting the bloc.

When asked to specify his criticism, Barnier pointed to claims made by Farage and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson during the 2016 campaign that the UK transferred 350 million pounds weekly to the EU budget. The official Vote Leave campaign had displayed the 350 million pound figure on its primary promotional vehicle, suggesting the sum could instead fund the British National Health Service.

Johnson reiterated in 2017 that the UK would reclaim roughly 350 million pounds per week once all departure accounts were finalized. Financial analysts and critics noted that this sum reflected gross transfers, omitting both the 75 million pounds weekly rebate returned to London and direct EU funding spent within the UK.

Written by Thomas Nussbaumer thomas.nussbaumer@alpineweekly.com