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Morning,
Theresa May’s opposition to Brexit may not have been well-publicised but it was hardly a secret.
So the fact she gave a speech before the referendum warning that it could see companies leave the UK is not altogether surprising.
But it does raise questions about why she is pushing for a hard Brexit when she is aware of the risks to our prosperity and why, if she was genuinely concerned about the economic impact, she did not speak up more forcefully.
Incidentally, it should be noted that the PM who wants to lead a country that ‘works for everyone’ made her remarks at a private speech to Goldman Sachs bankers.
Those likely to be most exercised by Mrs May’s pre-Referendum remarks will be the Brexiteers in the Cabinet who will be worried about the Prime Minister’s commitment to their cause.
Her comments also underline her failure, so far, to formulate an agreed line on Brexit.
In the last few weeks Downing Street has slapped down Liam Fox, David Davis and Philip Hammond for veering off script.
They may counter that message discipline is easier when there is a coherent message to deliver. Will Fox freelance again today when appears before MPs?
He’s giving evidence to the European Scrutiny committee this afternoon on the Canada-EU trade deal - the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
Interestingly, I hear the former Canadian PM Stephen Harper is advising Dr Fox on his international trade brief.
The Canadian deal, once cited by David Davis as the model the UK could follow, is in its death throes after being vetoed by Wallonia, a region of Belgium with 3million people and almost as many cows.
Opponents of Brexit are questioning if a relatively uncomplicated trade deal with Canada - it did not include financial services - can collapse how easy will it be for Britain to achieve one.
A greater fear, rarely spoken, is that in the desperate rush to secure trade deals after Brexit the UK government will sign away more sovereignty that we already concede to Brussels, leaving us open to shoddy imports, at the mercy of lawyers representing multi-national corporations and willing to trade workers’ rights and conditions for a quick buck.
Also up before MPs today is Marina Wheeler QC (Mrs Boris Johnson) who is giving evidence on the implications of Brexit for human rights.
Then there is Prime Minister’s questions at midday.
As usual we will be running our live blog on the exchanges followed by an instant verdict and sketch. If you want to get in touch my email is jason.beattie@mirror.co.uk and you can follow us @mirrorpolitics on Twitter.
Thanks,
Mirror Politics |
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