(Brexit) Why is there so little support for joining EFTA in the British parliament?
What are disadvantages of joining European Free Trade Association
(EFTA) and negotiating deals similar to the ones between the EU and Switzerland?
It would eliminate the need for a hard border in Northern Ireland (important for supporters of a soft Brexit), let the UK negotiate its own trade agreements and give it control over freedom of movement by making it subject to bilateral agreements (important for supporters of a hard Brexit).
Yet, the indicative votes have shown that this the least supported option in the British parliament. I understand why remainers oppose it, but why is it also opposed by so many Brexiteers?
united-kingdom european-union brexit efta
add a comment |
What are disadvantages of joining European Free Trade Association
(EFTA) and negotiating deals similar to the ones between the EU and Switzerland?
It would eliminate the need for a hard border in Northern Ireland (important for supporters of a soft Brexit), let the UK negotiate its own trade agreements and give it control over freedom of movement by making it subject to bilateral agreements (important for supporters of a hard Brexit).
Yet, the indicative votes have shown that this the least supported option in the British parliament. I understand why remainers oppose it, but why is it also opposed by so many Brexiteers?
united-kingdom european-union brexit efta
add a comment |
What are disadvantages of joining European Free Trade Association
(EFTA) and negotiating deals similar to the ones between the EU and Switzerland?
It would eliminate the need for a hard border in Northern Ireland (important for supporters of a soft Brexit), let the UK negotiate its own trade agreements and give it control over freedom of movement by making it subject to bilateral agreements (important for supporters of a hard Brexit).
Yet, the indicative votes have shown that this the least supported option in the British parliament. I understand why remainers oppose it, but why is it also opposed by so many Brexiteers?
united-kingdom european-union brexit efta
What are disadvantages of joining European Free Trade Association
(EFTA) and negotiating deals similar to the ones between the EU and Switzerland?
It would eliminate the need for a hard border in Northern Ireland (important for supporters of a soft Brexit), let the UK negotiate its own trade agreements and give it control over freedom of movement by making it subject to bilateral agreements (important for supporters of a hard Brexit).
Yet, the indicative votes have shown that this the least supported option in the British parliament. I understand why remainers oppose it, but why is it also opposed by so many Brexiteers?
united-kingdom european-union brexit efta
united-kingdom european-union brexit efta
edited 1 hour ago
JJJ
7,31322661
7,31322661
asked 2 hours ago
michaumichau
1757
1757
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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According to the slides by Michel Barnier (also printed below), the 'Switzerland option' has certain requirements that may not fit with UK red lines.
I will quote the point from the slide, which are possible UK red lines, and say how these could be overcome to make the Switzerland option work.
No free movement. To overcome this, the UK must give in that it cannot block free movement of people. In the Swiss case that's covered by this agreement.
No substantial financial contribution. To overcome this, the UK would have to contribute to the EU budget. Consider this article on the website of the Swiss confederation.
Regulatory autonomy. To overcome this, the UK has to implement some EU laws to have and maintain EU market access. For the Swiss case, consider this page by fullfact.org.

The freedom of movement issue is not entirely correct; the Swiss have exceptions allowing them to impose quotas sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/fza_schweiz-eu-efta.html which led to a big fight with the EU. thelocal.ch/20181213/…
– Fizz
25 mins ago
@Fizz but it's free movement of people for citizens of most EU countries, right? The link in my answer only mentions quotas for Croatian, Romanian and Bulgarian citizens and only for a limited time period (which is almost over for Romania and Bulgaria and over for Croatia next July of year). Or is there some more recent development?
– JJJ
20 mins ago
@Brythan it's phrased a bit poorly in the slide. The thing is, if the UK has red line "we want no financial contribution" then they cannot have the Swiss option. The alternative being that they do contribute to the EU budget.
– JJJ
14 mins ago
The fights seems centered on on the Swiss preemption clauses on jobs. But no Swiss job -> no right to reside in Swiss; you can temporarily visit of course.
– Fizz
1 min ago
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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According to the slides by Michel Barnier (also printed below), the 'Switzerland option' has certain requirements that may not fit with UK red lines.
I will quote the point from the slide, which are possible UK red lines, and say how these could be overcome to make the Switzerland option work.
No free movement. To overcome this, the UK must give in that it cannot block free movement of people. In the Swiss case that's covered by this agreement.
No substantial financial contribution. To overcome this, the UK would have to contribute to the EU budget. Consider this article on the website of the Swiss confederation.
Regulatory autonomy. To overcome this, the UK has to implement some EU laws to have and maintain EU market access. For the Swiss case, consider this page by fullfact.org.

The freedom of movement issue is not entirely correct; the Swiss have exceptions allowing them to impose quotas sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/fza_schweiz-eu-efta.html which led to a big fight with the EU. thelocal.ch/20181213/…
– Fizz
25 mins ago
@Fizz but it's free movement of people for citizens of most EU countries, right? The link in my answer only mentions quotas for Croatian, Romanian and Bulgarian citizens and only for a limited time period (which is almost over for Romania and Bulgaria and over for Croatia next July of year). Or is there some more recent development?
– JJJ
20 mins ago
@Brythan it's phrased a bit poorly in the slide. The thing is, if the UK has red line "we want no financial contribution" then they cannot have the Swiss option. The alternative being that they do contribute to the EU budget.
– JJJ
14 mins ago
The fights seems centered on on the Swiss preemption clauses on jobs. But no Swiss job -> no right to reside in Swiss; you can temporarily visit of course.
– Fizz
1 min ago
add a comment |
According to the slides by Michel Barnier (also printed below), the 'Switzerland option' has certain requirements that may not fit with UK red lines.
I will quote the point from the slide, which are possible UK red lines, and say how these could be overcome to make the Switzerland option work.
No free movement. To overcome this, the UK must give in that it cannot block free movement of people. In the Swiss case that's covered by this agreement.
No substantial financial contribution. To overcome this, the UK would have to contribute to the EU budget. Consider this article on the website of the Swiss confederation.
Regulatory autonomy. To overcome this, the UK has to implement some EU laws to have and maintain EU market access. For the Swiss case, consider this page by fullfact.org.

The freedom of movement issue is not entirely correct; the Swiss have exceptions allowing them to impose quotas sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/fza_schweiz-eu-efta.html which led to a big fight with the EU. thelocal.ch/20181213/…
– Fizz
25 mins ago
@Fizz but it's free movement of people for citizens of most EU countries, right? The link in my answer only mentions quotas for Croatian, Romanian and Bulgarian citizens and only for a limited time period (which is almost over for Romania and Bulgaria and over for Croatia next July of year). Or is there some more recent development?
– JJJ
20 mins ago
@Brythan it's phrased a bit poorly in the slide. The thing is, if the UK has red line "we want no financial contribution" then they cannot have the Swiss option. The alternative being that they do contribute to the EU budget.
– JJJ
14 mins ago
The fights seems centered on on the Swiss preemption clauses on jobs. But no Swiss job -> no right to reside in Swiss; you can temporarily visit of course.
– Fizz
1 min ago
add a comment |
According to the slides by Michel Barnier (also printed below), the 'Switzerland option' has certain requirements that may not fit with UK red lines.
I will quote the point from the slide, which are possible UK red lines, and say how these could be overcome to make the Switzerland option work.
No free movement. To overcome this, the UK must give in that it cannot block free movement of people. In the Swiss case that's covered by this agreement.
No substantial financial contribution. To overcome this, the UK would have to contribute to the EU budget. Consider this article on the website of the Swiss confederation.
Regulatory autonomy. To overcome this, the UK has to implement some EU laws to have and maintain EU market access. For the Swiss case, consider this page by fullfact.org.

According to the slides by Michel Barnier (also printed below), the 'Switzerland option' has certain requirements that may not fit with UK red lines.
I will quote the point from the slide, which are possible UK red lines, and say how these could be overcome to make the Switzerland option work.
No free movement. To overcome this, the UK must give in that it cannot block free movement of people. In the Swiss case that's covered by this agreement.
No substantial financial contribution. To overcome this, the UK would have to contribute to the EU budget. Consider this article on the website of the Swiss confederation.
Regulatory autonomy. To overcome this, the UK has to implement some EU laws to have and maintain EU market access. For the Swiss case, consider this page by fullfact.org.

edited 6 mins ago
answered 1 hour ago
JJJJJJ
7,31322661
7,31322661
The freedom of movement issue is not entirely correct; the Swiss have exceptions allowing them to impose quotas sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/fza_schweiz-eu-efta.html which led to a big fight with the EU. thelocal.ch/20181213/…
– Fizz
25 mins ago
@Fizz but it's free movement of people for citizens of most EU countries, right? The link in my answer only mentions quotas for Croatian, Romanian and Bulgarian citizens and only for a limited time period (which is almost over for Romania and Bulgaria and over for Croatia next July of year). Or is there some more recent development?
– JJJ
20 mins ago
@Brythan it's phrased a bit poorly in the slide. The thing is, if the UK has red line "we want no financial contribution" then they cannot have the Swiss option. The alternative being that they do contribute to the EU budget.
– JJJ
14 mins ago
The fights seems centered on on the Swiss preemption clauses on jobs. But no Swiss job -> no right to reside in Swiss; you can temporarily visit of course.
– Fizz
1 min ago
add a comment |
The freedom of movement issue is not entirely correct; the Swiss have exceptions allowing them to impose quotas sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/fza_schweiz-eu-efta.html which led to a big fight with the EU. thelocal.ch/20181213/…
– Fizz
25 mins ago
@Fizz but it's free movement of people for citizens of most EU countries, right? The link in my answer only mentions quotas for Croatian, Romanian and Bulgarian citizens and only for a limited time period (which is almost over for Romania and Bulgaria and over for Croatia next July of year). Or is there some more recent development?
– JJJ
20 mins ago
@Brythan it's phrased a bit poorly in the slide. The thing is, if the UK has red line "we want no financial contribution" then they cannot have the Swiss option. The alternative being that they do contribute to the EU budget.
– JJJ
14 mins ago
The fights seems centered on on the Swiss preemption clauses on jobs. But no Swiss job -> no right to reside in Swiss; you can temporarily visit of course.
– Fizz
1 min ago
The freedom of movement issue is not entirely correct; the Swiss have exceptions allowing them to impose quotas sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/fza_schweiz-eu-efta.html which led to a big fight with the EU. thelocal.ch/20181213/…
– Fizz
25 mins ago
The freedom of movement issue is not entirely correct; the Swiss have exceptions allowing them to impose quotas sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/fza_schweiz-eu-efta.html which led to a big fight with the EU. thelocal.ch/20181213/…
– Fizz
25 mins ago
@Fizz but it's free movement of people for citizens of most EU countries, right? The link in my answer only mentions quotas for Croatian, Romanian and Bulgarian citizens and only for a limited time period (which is almost over for Romania and Bulgaria and over for Croatia next July of year). Or is there some more recent development?
– JJJ
20 mins ago
@Fizz but it's free movement of people for citizens of most EU countries, right? The link in my answer only mentions quotas for Croatian, Romanian and Bulgarian citizens and only for a limited time period (which is almost over for Romania and Bulgaria and over for Croatia next July of year). Or is there some more recent development?
– JJJ
20 mins ago
@Brythan it's phrased a bit poorly in the slide. The thing is, if the UK has red line "we want no financial contribution" then they cannot have the Swiss option. The alternative being that they do contribute to the EU budget.
– JJJ
14 mins ago
@Brythan it's phrased a bit poorly in the slide. The thing is, if the UK has red line "we want no financial contribution" then they cannot have the Swiss option. The alternative being that they do contribute to the EU budget.
– JJJ
14 mins ago
The fights seems centered on on the Swiss preemption clauses on jobs. But no Swiss job -> no right to reside in Swiss; you can temporarily visit of course.
– Fizz
1 min ago
The fights seems centered on on the Swiss preemption clauses on jobs. But no Swiss job -> no right to reside in Swiss; you can temporarily visit of course.
– Fizz
1 min ago
add a comment |
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