Representatives of some of the biggest cities outside London met EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier in BrusselsCity leaders have accused the government of failing to involve them in the Brexit process, as a group of councillors and mayors met the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier. Leaders from some of the UK’s largest cities met EU officials in Brussels on Monday, in a bid to have a bigger say in the Brexit process. Most of the cities represented in Brussels, including Manchester and Liverpool, voted to remain in the EU, but Birmingham, Nottingham and Sheffield narrowly voted to leave. The group is not seeking a role in Brexit negotiations, but hopes to preserve links with other European capitals and explore how cities can maintain flows of migrant labour and trade after Brexit. One idea floated is that cities could buy into EU programmes, such as research or regeneration funding.

Source: The Guardian February 19, 2018 19:52 UTC