Brexit will strengthen attempts from the European Union to expand its influence across member states now the UK can no longer make trouble, according to Swedish MEP Charlie Weimers. The UK had long been considered one of the key obstacles to federalisation plans and some analysts suggested its departure would open the gates for the expansion of Brussels’ influence in the EU27. Speaking to Express.co.uk following the latest EU Summit in July, Mr Weimers suggested the decision to adopt a common coronavirtus rescue fund marked the first step towards federalisation.
Mr Weimers said: “This whole negotiation round regarding the MFF and the recovery fund it shows the EU post-Brexit.
“Instead of much-needed humility in the face of euroscepticism, Brussels took the departure of the British ‘troublemakers’ as a blank cheque to push for a full-blown European superstate with taxes and endless transfers.
“From my prospective, the Swedish people have been sold out.”
The UK had long been believed to have acted as a buffer between Brussels instutitons and the EU27, playing a pivotal role on containing the bloc’s federalist aspirations.
JUST IN: Brexit, Frexit, Grexit, Italexit – the whole EU house of cards is about to collapse
Indeed, Britain had seen original attempts to enter the precursor of the EU, the European Economic Community (EEC), over concerns regarding London interference.
French President Charles de Gaulle argued the UK would seek to “impose its own conditions” upon entering the EEC while claiming the country’s politico-economic system “profoundly” differed from that of “continental Europeans.”
According to biographer Jonathan Fenby, General De Gaulle had rejected Britain’s initial attempts to join to preserve France’s leading role within the insitution.
Mr Fenby said: “De Gaulle was determined that France should have the leading role in the European project.
READ MORE: Leaver predicts Macron will back down as UK heads for win-win deal
Withdrawal negotiations proved difficult and only concluded three years after the UK opted for quitting the union, with trade talks proving just as difficult.
Among the key points of contention between the UK and the EU is chief negotiator Michel Barnier’s mandate to ensure European vessels maintain access to British waters at the end of the transition period.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged UK fishing communities will regain full control of their waters from January 2021.
Both sides have have repeatedly warned little progress has been made in the Brexit trade deal talks over the past seven months but insisted they will continue to press on in hopes of securing a trade deal.
