Brexiter horoscope jibe:
IT would be better to “consult a newspaper horoscope than Treasury forecasts”, a Tory Brexiter has suggested, as the SNP claimed the UK Government is “refusing to admit the damage” that Theresa May’s Brexit deal will do.
The comment from Jacob Rees-mogg, chairman of the European Research Group (ERG), came as SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford claimed the Government had done “no analysis” on the economic impact of its Brexit deal, adding: “That is once again this Conservative Government treating this House, treating the United Kingdom with contempt and it’s a disgrace that the Government has continued to duck and dive its responsibilities.”
Mr Blackford raised warnings from economists as he asked an urgent question in the Commons.
Treasury Minister Mel Stride, replying for the Government, said “very robust” information has been provided on potential Brexit scenarios, adding: “He levels the charge we are treating the United Kingdom in some way with contempt – that is certainly not the case.”
Mr Stride also claimed the analysis shows that “under every single scenario” it is “better to have this deal than no deal or any of the alternatives”.
Mr Rees-mogg (North East Somerset) said: “As the Treasury’s forecasts before the referendum were woefully inaccurate and the OBR was set up specifically to stop politicised reports coming out, would it not be better to consult a newspaper horoscope than Treasury forecasts?”
Tory former chancellor Ken Clarke said it was “perfectly obvious” to all those involved in the negotiations that, if Britain were to leave the EU with no deal, it would be “disastrous” for the UK economy in the medium to long term and “extremely damaging” to the economies of many EU countries.
Mr Stride replied: “He is entirely right that a no-deal would be a very unsatisfactory outcome but of course what the House will appreciate is that the only way of avoiding a no-deal is to secure a deal.”
Shadow economic secretary to the Treasury Jonathan Reynolds said: “What’s been clear though from the wide range of independent analysis that we’ve received is that the Government’s Brexit deal is not good news for our economy.”