Leadership hopefuls in battle royale over policy on a no-deal Brexit
Confusion over the future direction of Brexit deepened after candidates in the crowded Conservative Party leadership contest split over whether to delay the UK’S exit from the European Union, or accept a no-deal departure.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock released a Brexit strategy that allows for a further delay to the UK’S exit date, joining Defra Secretary Michael Gove and Rory Stewart, the International Development Secretary, in effectively ruling out no-deal.
Home Sec re tarySaji dJ avid also refused to rule out extendin gB rita in’ s departure from the EU beyond the end of October, although he claimed he “cannot envisage the circumstances” where he would do so.
But Andrea Leadsom, the former leader of the House of Commons, insisted what she called a “managed exit” without a deal can be delivered.
It came as a 13th candidate entered the race, with the former universities minister Sam Gyimah being the only candidate to support a second EU referendum.
Former Tor y MP Ann Widdecombe, who quit the party and was recently elected as an MEP for the Brexit Party, said the number of candidates for leader showed the Conservatives had “gone mad”.
Unveiling his Brexit plan, Mr Hancock said that the“real choice is between leaving with a deal and no Brexit”, adding that “no - deal Brexit is not a policy choice available to the next prime minister”.
Pledging to be “honest about the trade-offs as we leave the EU”, he said it was impossible to have complete control over the UK’S laws while maintaining frictionless access to trade.
Mr Hancock said that as prime minister, he would “immediately” enshrine the rights of EU citizens living in the UK in law, and set up an “Irish B order Council” to resolve the most difficult issue in Brexit talks.
Model led on multi-party negotiations used to secure the peace process, the council would also include representatives from the Republic of Ireland and the EU to develop a solution to the b order issue that is acceptable to all sides.
However, he also said he would seek a time-limit to the border backstop element of the UK’S Brexit deal, something that the EU has repeatedly rejected.
Meanwhile, in his own TV interview yesterday, Mr Javid said the Irish border was “the tail that wags the dog” on Brexit , adding that new technology could avoid the need for the backstop, which would keep the UK under EU trading rules if no solution is found.
“We need to make sure we can do more to build that goodwill in Ireland and build their confidence ,” the Home Secretary told the BBC’S Andrew M arr .“What I would do is make a grand gesture to Ire - land that we would cover all their costs – the upfront costs, the running costs – of a new digitised border.
“I think it could be done in a couple of years, but I think we could cover their costs.”
Mr Javid was asked whether he would ask to delay Brexit beyond the end of October, and said: “I’m clear that my plan would be to leave on 31 Octo - ber. I want to leave with a deal but if I have to choose between no deal and no Brexit I would pick no deal.”
But pressed again, he added: “That’s not something I would do, but we are a parliamentary democracy and what we’ve seen in the last few months is Parliament has taken on some extraordinary powers to initiate its own legislation so if it’s statute, if it’s the law, I would not break the law if I was prime minister, of course I would observe the law.”
In a second interview on the BBC show, Ms Leadsom unveiled a“three-step plan for a managed exit” which she insisted was not the same as leaving without a deal.
“I think it’ s based on the premise that, number one, we have to leave the EU at the end of October, and, number two, the Withdrawal Agreement Bill is dead – the EU won’t reop en the Withdrawal Agree - ment and the UK Parliament won’t vote for it,” she said.
Meanwhile, in a series of posts on social media, Mr Stewart said a no-deal Brexit was a “recipe for further delay and uncertainty” that would undermine the UK’S “300 years of reputation for economic competence”.
He received a significant endorsement as David Gauke, the Justice Secretary, said Mr Stewart’s unconventional style had “real strengths” and could win an election.
Mr Gauke also said he would not be able to serve in a Cabinet which pursued leaving without a deal as its “objective”.
He said: “I don’t think you can completely take it off the table because the European Union might refuse any kind of extension and we might find ourselves in that situation.
“So I accept that we should prepare for it, but if it is an objective in saying, ‘ No - deal is the right answer’ I wouldn’t support that policy, I wouldn’t be able to serve in a Cabinet that pursued that policy.”
Mr Stewart also won support the former chancellor and Father of the House, proEU Tory Kenneth Clarke.
Meanwhile, ex-cabinet minister Nicky Morgan said she would back Mr Gove.
Sources close to the Environment Secretary said he would be willing to allow an extension to avoid a no-deal Brexit in October, saying: “Simply trying to go for no deal before the UK is properly prepared will lead to a general election with Jeremy Corbyn in Downing Street and risks Brexit being cancelled altogether.”