EU crisis: Ursula von der Leyen ‘watching power slip away’ – ‘Nation state is back’

Laura Kuenssberg on how EU vaccine plans may 'affect' UK

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Tom Tugendhat said Brussels was getting “nervous” as Britain’s successful jab rollout was proving to be a “big advantage” of Brexit. He added that the EU’s “storm” over vaccines has made clear “the nation state is back”.

Writing in The Sun, Mr Tugendhat said: “This isn’t about healthcare, it is about power.

“And she is watching it slip away.

“Only time will tell how the EU rides out this storm.

“But one thing is clear – the nation state is back.

“Borders went up across Europe when countries ran short of personal protective equipment a year ago.

“Free trade was suspended and governments rightly acted to look after their own country first.

“They may go up again if some can vaccinate their people faster than others.”

Mr Tugendhat highlighted how some EU countries are “opting out of the collective approach”.

The MP for Tonbridge and Malling said: “They don’t want bureaucratic failure to cost lives and they are seeing what is possible this side of the Channel.

“That is making the Commission nervous. And it is reacting badly.”

The Tory MP insisted that while he is “glad we are free” of the EU’s delays, the bloc needs to stop seeing the UK as “rivals”.

He added: “We are all partners in the war against Covid.”

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Britain and Brussels are in talks in a bid to resolve the row over coronavirus vaccines.

A joint statement said the two sides were seeking a “win-win” deal to increase supplies across the UK and EU.

It came after the European Commission said on Wednesday it may refuse to export jabs to nations who are faring better in the pandemic.

The EU has faced intense criticism over its slow and chaotic vaccine rollout and a third coronavirus wave is currently sweeping across the bloc’s states.

The joint statement from the UK and EU said: “Given our interdependencies, we are working on specific steps we can take – in the short, medium and long term – to create a win-win situation and expand vaccine supply for all our citizens.

“In the end, openness and global co-operation of all countries will be key to finally overcome this pandemic and ensure better preparation for meeting future challenges.

“We will continue our discussions.”

In the EU just over 11 percent of adults have received a first dose of a coronavirus jab, but in the UK the figure is more than 54 percent.

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