AMBER AND HAMM LEFT OUT IN COLD
Brexit ‘win’ for Boris
PHILIP Hammond and his ally Amber Rudd suffered a major defeat last night in the battle to shape Britain’s future after Brexit.
The Chancellor and the Home Secretary were the only members of the Cabinet Brexit sub-committee to back continuing to follow European policies after 2019.
They insisted that keeping things “as close as possible” after Britain leaves the EU to how they are now would be better for business.
But Boris Johnson and Michael Gove won widespread support for their vision of a Britain gradually breaking free from EU regulations.
They believe the best way forward is to be unshackled from Europe so that Britain can take advantage of future trade opportunities abroad.
The Cabinet split became clear as ministers formally discussed the “end state” of Britain’s post-withdrawal relationship with the EU for the first time. Foreign Secretary Mr Johnson and Environment Secretary Mr Gove believe they won the battle for a “divergent” withdrawal from the EU.
They were joined by Liam Fox and Gavin Williamson in calling for Britain to retain the right to move away from EU rules.
A Cabinet source claimed that the “majority” of ministers backed the idea of “gradual divergence” from the EU, rather than a sudden break or a close alignment model.
Damian Green, David Davis and Greg Clark are said to have been among those who supported the view.
But it could have implications for Northern Ireland, which has been promised no return to a hard border with the Republic. A Cabinet source said: “There was a feeling that the majority of those present were leaning towards the divergence that Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Liam Fox flew the flag for.”
PM Theresa May told the meeting that the Government must “aim high” by bargaining hard for the best possible deal rather than accepting the EU’s current offer.
She said the final Brexit agreement must allow Britain to set its own rules, and strike “ambitious” deals with countries around the world while having the “best possible” access to European markets.