BREMOANERS ARE AT IT AGAIN!
As hopes rise of US trade deal, Labour says we’re ‘too small’ to negotiate by ourselves
REMAIN campaigners were accused of talking down Britain last night after claiming the UK was too small to strike a good trade deal with the United States.
They warned a rushed agreement could wreck the environment, spark the privatisation of the NHS and even force supermarkets to stock ‘chlorine-soaked chickens’.
Senior Tories last night hit back at the ‘unbelievably negative’ comments and urged Theresa May to embrace the opportunity to strike an early deal with the US. Downing Street welcomed indications from Donald Trump that he wants to agree a rapid trade deal with the UK in the wake of Brexit.
But leading figures from Labour and the Liberal Democrats claimed the US would use the offer of a trade deal to demolish protections surrounding healthcare, consumer rights and the environment.
Emily Thornberry, Shadow Foreign Secretary, warned Britain was now ‘such a small player’ that it could be ‘swallowed up’ in trade talks without the protection offered by the EU.
Her Labour colleague Jonathan Ashworth said a ‘rushed’ trade deal with the US could become ‘a Trojan horse for NHS privatisation’.
And Mary Creagh, Labour chairman of the Commons environmental audit committee, also warned against a quick trade deal, saying it could be used to undermine environmental standards. ‘He is the big player here and we stand to lose,’ she said.
Nick Clegg said Britain would be forced to accept ‘bloody horrible’ American chickens that had been treated with bleach.
‘I suspect the good shoppers of Waitrose and Sainsbury’s and others might be a little shocked if, suddenly, they are having to eat this slightly white, chlorine-washed American chicken flesh,’ said the former deputy prime minister.
But Gerald Howarth said the ‘pathetic’ comments risked undermining Britain. The former Tory minister said the UK’s international standing would be ‘enhanced’ by Brexit, which he said would prevent Britain from being eclipsed by the EU’s growing foreign policy ambitions.
‘Britain is a major player in the world,’ said Sir Gerald. ‘We are one of the largest economies in the world, we are one of the most active contributors to Nato’s foreign operations and the Queen is head of a Commonwealth of 2.6billion people.
‘Britain commands authority and respect around the world, and the shadow foreign secretary really ought to know better.
‘It really is rather pathetic that the Labour Party feels it necessary to demean our country’s standing. Our departure from the EU will enhance, not diminish our influence.’
Fellow Tory Jacob Rees-Mogg urged Remain campaigners to drop their opposition to a deal with the US. ‘We have seen some unbelievably negative reaction today,’ he said. ‘There is a great possibility now for the UK to be in pole position for a strong relationship with the US. This is just the start. If the US – the leviathan of global trade – wants a deal with us then others will follow.’
Michael Gove who interviewed Mr Trump in New York last Friday, said the president-elect wanted a quick and fair trade agreement with the UK.
The former Cabinet minister described his visit to the billionaire’s ‘man cave’ on the 26th floor of the Trump Tower, saying Mr Trump felt a sense of ‘ownership of Brexit’ because of his early support for Britain leaving the EU.
He also described Mr Trump’s admiration for Mrs May and his ‘soft spot’ for Britain.
Mr Gove said: ‘He stressed that he believed the European Union would potentially break up in the future and that other countries would leave. So in a sense he is both emotionally and financially invested in it.’
On Mrs May’s prospects of securing a deal, he said: ‘The EU until now has been assumed to have a better hand to play, but the Prime Minister we now see has actually cards in her hand, including from candidate Trump, which will enable her, I think, to secure a better deal.’
Mr Gove said that the president-elect wanted a trade deal ‘signature-ready at the earliest possible opportunity’. He described Mr Trump as ‘a warm and energetic, charismatic presence’.