Johnson and Gove memo piles pressure on Hammond
Minister says attacks on Hammond ‘taking advantage of the Prime Minister’s weakness’
PHILIP HAMMOND came under renewed pressure over his stance on Brexit last night as Boris Johnson and Michael Gove were accused of a “sordid” attempt to oust him.
In a letter sent to Theresa May last month, Mr Johnson and Mr Gove accuse the Chancellor of letting the EU hold Britain “over a barrel” by refusing to make preparations for leaving without a deal.
The memo, obtained by The Mail on Sunday, says: “We are profoundly worried that in some parts of Government the current preparations are not proceeding with anything like sufficient energy. We have heard it argued by some that we cannot start preparations on the basis of ‘No Deal’ because that would undermine our obligation of ‘sincere cooperation’ with the EU. If taken seriously, that would leave us over a barrel in 2021.”
It prompted a backlash from ministers loyal to the Prime Minister. One said: “It’s a sordid little double play – they are trying to take advantage of the Prime Minister’s weakness to get rid of Hammond.”
However, an ally of Mr Johnson and Mr Gove insisted that they were simply “trying to win the argument” in Cabinet by any means. The ally said: “They see themselves as guardians of Brexit. There is more riding for them on its success than anyone else in Cabinet.
“He [Mr Hammond] is always the problem, he is one of the main reasons why there is not enough preparation for no deal. He is so stubborn.” It came as Michael Gove said he would support Mrs May if she decides to offer the EU extra cash in order to make a breakthrough in negotiations in a December summit.
Tory Eurosceptics have warned that the party is at “breaking point” over the Brexit divorce bill, and Mr Johnson is understood to oppose making further commitments.
However Mr Gove is understood to believe that the divorce bill is less important than ensuring that the UK gets a good Brexit deal.
Asked if he would block the Prime Minister if she had to hand over extra cash to secure a deal, he replied: “I certainly would not. I would not block the Prime Minister in doing what she believed was right.”
He told BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show the Government is “doing everything we can” to secure a good deal but is making sure that whatever happens in the talks, Britain can “make the best of them”.
“I am not worried, but I am determined to ensure that in my own department that we have everything in place for every eventuality.”
On the same television show, Sir James Dyson said that Britain should walk away from the European Union without paying anything towards the Brexit divorce bill.
The billionaire inventor described Brussels’ demands for a €60billion divorce bill as “outrageous”, as he said that the UK should leave the EU without a deal. He told Andrew Marr: “It is a problem with the people we are negotiating with. I think demanding billions and billions to leave is outrageous and I think demanding it before we leave is outrageous.
“I would walk away, that’s the only way to deal with them. I have been dealing with the EU for the last 25 years… there is no way to deal with them. We have to walk away.
“If we walk away they will come back to us because they sell all of their products to us. We are in a very strong position. We should walk away and they will come to us. We are in a very, very strong position.”
Some 17 months after the UK voted to leave the EU, MPS will finally this week get around to dealing with the legislation that is intended to make that decision a reality. The EU (Withdrawal) Bill was given a Second Reading in the Commons in September, but only now has the Government been able to start the committee stages because so many amendments have been tabled. Just eight days have been set aside for the detailed line-byline scrutiny, which opponents say is not enough. It will seem like an eternity to Theresa May.
Her Government is already reeling from two Cabinet resignations and now faces a ferocious legislative battle that will do nothing to steady the ship of state. Without a majority, ministers are braced for defeats on a number of key issues. They will be fortunate to get the Bill out of the Commons this side of Christmas before it goes to the House of Lords, where even more trouble awaits.
A Westminster war of attrition will not help the Brexit negotiating team, which is currently facing an obdurate EU position reinforced by an ultimatum to stump up more money within a fortnight or be denied further talks about trade and other arrangements. The political uncertainty at Westminster is emboldening the EU to prevaricate in the expectation that a domestic crisis in the UK can change the bargaining terms.
Some MPS have genuine concerns over aspects of the Bill, notably the powers the executive is taking in order to strike down laws. But improving the measure is one thing; wrecking it quite another. MPS voted to begin this process by an overwhelming majority and they cannot now seek to thwart it through procedural paralysis.
Moreover the legislation is needed to repeal the European Communities Act 1972 which took us into the Common Market and to ensure legal continuity after Brexit. It is essential if the UK is to leave in March 2019 without total chaos.
Since it has now been determined both by voters in a referendum and by parliament that the UK is to leave the EU, MPS and peers must not shirk the legislative implication of their own decisions. They could cause great harm to the country’s interests if the Brexit negotiations have to take place against a backdrop of mayhem at Westminster, weakening Mrs May’s hand still further. MPS seeking to make thoughtful and positive contributions to the Bill will be doing their duty. Those hoping to use it to stop Brexit should step back.