Politics

BREXIT LIVE: No deal exit MUCH BETTER than May's deal, blasts ex-MI6 chief


Sir Richard Dearlove said the Prime Minister’s deal would merely “prolong the agony” and unshackling from the bloc without a deal would offer “immediate opportunities”. In a scathing letter from Sir Richard and 33 business leaders and academics, they said: “The Withdrawal Agreement is disastrous. It ties us to European Union rules without any say in drawing them up or any possibility of independent arbitration.

“New trade agreements would be restricted. We would continue to pay £10 billion a year. There would be no control over EU migration.

“There would be no tangible benefits to show from Brexit.” 

The letter, seen by the Daily Telegraph, said the only way to “escape” the clutches of the EU was to meet their “demands”. 

It read: “We can only escape if a replacement agreement meets EU demands. This is likely to be equivalent to the backstop itself, which is thus essentially mandatory and permanent.

“A no-deal exit, while requiring adjustments, offers immediate opportunities. It would allow us to cut unnecessary tariffs, reduce costly regulation, save on budget contributions, and sign beneficial trade deals.” 

The intervention comes after Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox held fresh talks in Brussels in a renewed effort to secure changes to the controversial Irish backstop.

Mr Cox and Mr Barclay were seeking to allay fears that the backstop could leave the UK trapped in a customs union with the EU, in a bid to win over Tory MPs ahead of further votes next week.

Mrs May is set to bring her deal back to the Commons for a vote by March 12.

If it is rejected, MPs will get the chance to either back a no-deal Brexit or call for the UK’s departure from the EU to be delayed beyond the current March 29 deadline.

FOLLOW EXPRESS.CO.UK BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES 

9.06am update: Brexit no deal to see UK slash 90 PERCENT of trade tariffs for global Britain to flourish

Britain’s trade tariffs will be reduced to a record level if there is a no-deal Brexit in a historic “trade liberalisation”.

The Department for International Trade will stop between 80 and 90 percent of all tariffs imposed on goods imported into the UK, according to Sky News.

Staunch Brexiteer MP, Jacob Rees-Mogg, said in response to the news: “Free trade will improve living standards for all.”

Whitehall sources said the sensitive items which will continue to be protected from overseas competition are cars, beef, lamb, dairy and some textiles.

7.50am update: EU will hurt MORE than UK in Brexit no deal, Mark Carney warns

Bank of England chief Mark Carney has admitted the “economic shock” from a no-deal Brexit would be less than feared thanks to plans put in place by ministers.

The governor said there had been “progress in preparedness” that has reduced the economic damage forecast if Britain unshackles itself from the EU without a deal.

However, EU nations face higher borrowing costs and economic chaos as less has been done to prepare for no deal across the Channel, he said.



READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.