Tory Chancellor Sajid Javid says the Government has a plan to ram through a no-deal Brexit , he thinks he knows what it is, but you’re not allowed to know about it.
Just 32 days out from the Prime Minister’s ‘do or die’ deadline, almost everyone is in the dark about how Boris Johnson intends to drag Britain out of the EU on Halloween and still obey the law.
Even senior cabinet ministers claim not to know what the PM has in mind for the end of October.
So this morning, ahead of his big speech at Tory conference in Manchester, Sajid Javid was asked repeatedly what the plan is.
The Benn Act, passed earlier this month by MPs, demands the PM ask the EU for a Brexit extension if we don’t have a deal by October 19.
Asked if he knew how the Government would get around the Benn Act, he replied: “I think I do.
“The intention of the law is clear and I do think it has absolutely made it harder for the Government to get the deal that we all want to see. That said, it can still be done.
“It’s not about getting around the law … I don’t really want to discuss the detail of this law, it’s a pretty fresh new law, but we are also clear at all times we, of course, like any government, we will absolutely observe the law.”
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In the course of several media interviews, Mr Javid not only refused to say what Mr Johnson’s plan was, but said it would “not be right” for the public to be aware of something that will have a material effect on their lives for decades to come, just four weeks before it happens.
Asked if Brexit is still possible by Halloween, he told Today: “Yes, it is. It’s not our preferred outcome, we are working incredibly hard to get a deal by October 31 and I absolutely believe that can still happen.
“But if we do not manage to do that, we do still need to leave the EU on that date – we cannot have any more dither and delay and we will leave if we have to without a deal on October 31.”
And Mr Javid dismissed former Tory minister Justine Greening’s calls for Brexit plans to be published. He told Today: “The absolute worst negotiating strategy in the world would be to publicly negotiate. It’s a ridiculous suggestion.”
Mr Javid said he was not sure how much a no-deal Brexit would cost the economy in the short term. He told Today: “I don’t think anyone really knows a full proper answer to that question. “And I have never pretended that if you leave without a deal it won’t be challenging.”
Labour’s John McDonnell accused Mr Javid of either having “no clue” or being “completely disingenuous” about not knowing the cost of a no-deal Brexit.
The shadow chancellor said: “The Chancellor refused to say what the real costs of a no-deal Brexit would be, or how it would impact on the economy.
“He either has no clue or he is being completely disingenuous, because he knows what a disaster no deal would be for everyone except the super rich.
“His repetition of the word surrender is no substitute for grown-up, sensible planning.”
Aside from his reluctance to provide vital information on a matter of national importance, the Chancellor was eager to tell people he plans to spend billions on transport and broadband infrastructure.
He’s set to open the taps in a bid to fulfil Boris Johnson’s unfunded leadership campaign pledges.
Projects include £5billion for the roll-out of full-fibre, 5G fast internet; £25billion of already-announced cash to upgrade roads over the next five years; and a £220-million National Bus Strategy to overhaul services, including the creation of Britain’s first ever all-electric bus town.
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It comes after firms slashed vital services on which communities rely, forcing them to walk or use cars.
The announcements were due to form a major part of the Conservative election campaign, which is stalled after Parliament refused to trigger a ballot.
Mr Javid will tell the Conservative Party conference in Manchester: “Infrastructure is the foundation of everything – it’s the new road that connects local communities, the bus you need to get to school and the broadband that helps your small business trade around the world.
“The full benefits of our infrastructure revolution may not be felt for some time.
“But the work must start here and now.”
