May accused of Brexit betrayal as
THERESA May was yesterday accused of “Brexit betrayal” after claims Britain could be locked into EU rules indefinitely.
Leaked Government proposals failed to set a cut-off date for the Brexit transition period, sparking outrage among Eurosceptics.
The discussion document from David Davis’s Department for Exiting the EU called for further talks about the bloc’s proposal for ending the transition on December 31 2020.
It suggested the length of the adjustment period following the official departure from the EU in March next year “should be determined simply by how long it will take to prepare” for new trading arrangements.
Britain will still have to follow EU rules, including free movement for European migrants, during the transition stage.
The Government’s failure to specify the date for a full break with Brussels was greeted with alarm last night.
Ukip interim leader Gerard Batten said: “This is Brexit betrayal at its contemptible worst. It’s time for May to go and for a genuine Brexiteer to step up for the role of Prime Minister.
“I’ve warned that closet Remainers such as May will delay and impede Brexit in the hope of later overturning the democratic wishes of the people.
“This is barefaced treachery and cannot be allowed to stand.”
Senior Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said: “If we are going to have a transition, there has to be a definite limit. It’s clear the EU still wants us not to leave and wants to keep receiving our contributions. All negotiations tend to go down to the wire so the Government must say where the wire is.”
His warning followed a letter to the Prime Minister signed by the 62 Tory MPs comprising the Brexit-backing European Research Group, setting out a series of demands for ending Brussels rule as soon as possible.
Gisela Stuart, a former Labour MP and chairwoman of the Brexit-supporting pressure group Change Britain, also called for a strict limit on the transition.
She said: “The Government must commit to a time-limited implementation phase lasting no more than two years rather than leave the door open to a permanent transition.
“The UK cannot allow itself to be in the position where it’s negotiating with a new European Commission or making automatic contributions to the next EU budget cycle.
“A set end date, and prior agreement on our future relationship with the EU, are essential to deliver on the referendum result – and prevent those who want to frustrate it with attempts to keep the UK in the EU by the back door.
“By the time of the next General Election, elected representatives in the UK must be in control of our laws, money, borders and trade. Anything less would be a betrayal.”
The Government document said: “The UK believes the period’s duration should be determined simply by how long it will take to prepare and implement the new processes and systems that will underpin the future partnership.
“The UK agrees this points to a period of around two years, but