Don’t let Remoaners subvert democracy

THIS has been a deeply worrying week for those, like this paper, who see wonderful opportunities opening up after Brexit if only the people’s will is properly implemented.

True, we should not be unduly concerned about the ritual huffing and puffing from Brussels over the Irish border question – a side-issue blown up out of all proportion by Eurofanatics casting around for any excuse to sabotage the UK’s withdrawal.

The fact is that the volume of trade crossing between the north and south of Ireland is so insignificant that it barely registers in global figures. Meanwhile, neither the UK nor Dublin wants a hard border, spoken of only by EU zealots.

Indeed, it is ludicrous to suggest this technicality – resolvable with imagination and goodwill – presents an insuperable obstacle to Brexit or the peace process.

Viewed in isolation, nor would there be serious cause for anxiety over this week’s Lords amendment to the Brexit Bill, demanding the Government takes steps to stay in an EU customs union.

Yes, it is profoundly shocking that this unelected House of cronies, dodgy party donors and washed-up politicians should try to frustrate the wishes of 17.4million.

It is also hideously revealing that every Whitehall mandarin in the Lords voted for the amendment. What volumes this speaks about the ingrained pro-Brussels bias of the arrogant Civil Service, with its instinctive love of unwieldy bureaucracies.

Yet sickening though it is that the Upper House has shown such contempt for voters, this attempt at sabotage was widely foreseen – while most predicted it would be comfortably overturned in the Commons.

But this was not to reckon on an unholy alliance between an unprincipled Labour Party and fanatical Tory Remoaners such as Nicky Morgan, Dominic Grieve and Sarah Wollaston.

In a conspiracy that should alarm everyone who cherishes democracy, they aim to force a vote next week, in which they hope to enshrine the commitment to seek a customs union in law. If they succeed, the implications will be devastating for the public’s sorely frayed confidence in the political class.

With egregious dishonesty, the rebels argue that since the referendum ballot paper did not mention the customs union, remaining a member will not be incompatible with voters’ wishes.

Yet they know full well that a huge part of Brexit’s appeal to the public was the chance it offered to strike our own deals outside the EU, where 90 per cent of global growth is predicted over the next decade.

As Australia’s foreign minister made clear yesterday, staying in the customs union would rob us of that magnificent opportunity at a stroke.

Not only would it force us to keep charging punitive tariffs on non-EU food and goods to protect overpriced European producers. Worse, it would condemn us to quasicolonial status, bound by Brussels rules but without any say in making them.

It may be too much to hope diehards such as Mrs Morgan and Dr Wollaston will stand up for their constituents, who backed Brexit. But if others – whatever their party – have any sense of decency, they will join in defeating this attack on democracy.

At stake is not just our chance of a prosperous future after Brexit, but public faith in our system of government itself. IN a victory for the Mail, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has secured a veto over the sale of sensitive parts of Britain’s oldest engineering firm by its new owners. Thus, our worst fears over GKN’s takeover by asset- stripper Melrose have been partially allayed. One word of warning: if there is any question of compromising national security by offering parts of GKN to foreign bidders, Mr Williamson and his successors must not hesitate to prevent it.