Tory rebels could cost the UK dear

THIS Thursday Parliament closes down for the Christmas recess and political scandal and gossip will be suspended until the New Year. Perhaps just as well, for last week’s Brexit debates in Westminster have not enhanced the reputation of some politicians.

I watched the final four hours of the debate on Amendment 7 to Clause 9, when forensic and analytical legal minds debated the intricacies and precise wording of the proposed change.

That Tory rebels, combined with Opposition parties, succeeded in defeating Government was humiliating. This state of affairs could, with a little tact and foresight have been avoided. A little more creative ambiguity, such as that designed to overcome the Irish border problem leading to the conclusion of Phase 1 of negotiations, would have saved the day.

Sadly for the British tax-payer, the defeat to government is very likely to lead to much stiffer demands in Phase 2, for the Euro negotiators will have seen that Mrs May is in a very weak position.

Government is now in the ludicrous situation of having to get permission from Parliament to sign up to any given deal, with the suggestion that if MPs are not happy about certain elements, she will be sent back to Brussels to renegotiate.

To me, this is nonsense. Our nation voted in a referendum to leave the EU.

Parliament, by a large majority voted to activate Article 50, and government should have been left alone to get on with the job.

Now, with this latest handicap, life is going to be extremely difficult for David Davies and his team.

The European Single Market is all to do with trade, and negotiations should have been handled by experienced business people, not by politicians, who have so clearly demonstrated that they are not up to clever and wellorchestrated Euro negotiators. So far the British team has been on the back foot, constantly conceding ground, all of which is costing the British tax-payer dearly.

The rebellious Tories have just added to the troubles, which will prove to be very expensive.

Russell Luckock is chairman of Birmingham pressings firm

AE Harris