The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
‘Brexit may not go ahead if MPs vote against deal’
Jeremy Hunt warns of ‘paralysis’ and damage to UK’s reputation
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has warned of “Brexit paralysis” if MPs vote down Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement next week, potentially meaning the UK does not leave the European Union at all.
Mr Hunt warned that failure to deliver Brexit would be “incredibly damaging” for the UK and something the country would regret for “many, many generations”.
He appealed to MPs who have spent months fighting for their “number one top favourite outcome” to come together behind a Withdrawal Agreement which is “not perfect” but “broadly delivers Brexit”.
Mr Hunt suggested that legally-binding assurances from Brussels over the deal’s controversial backstop arrangements should be enough to allay the fears of many MPs over the Agreement.
European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said discussions were continuing with No 10 as to what form such assurances could take, as he warned that a no-deal would be a “catastrophe”.
“We are checking with Downing Street what the clarifications could amount to. They should not be confused with a renegotiation,” he said during a visit to Romania.
He added: “I don’t like the prospect of a no-deal. It would be a catastrophe.”
Meanwhile, Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd said she is “committed” to ensuring that the UK does not leave without a deal.
During an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Ms Rudd three times declined to say whether she would remain a member of the government if it opted for a no-deal Brexit.
The Cabinet ministers were speaking as MPs prepared for the third day of debate ahead of next Tuesday’s crunch vote, with Home Secretary Sajid Javid opening proceedings which are expected to be Richard Leonard has refused to confirm whether Labour would campaign for or against Brexit in any potential general election.
In a speech on Thursday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called for a general election “at the earliest opportunity” in order to dominated by the issue of migration.
In a significant shift of tone apparently designed to win over hardline Brexiteers, Mr Hunt warned that defeat next week would not necessarily provide MPs with the opportunity to choose their preferred version of Brexit.
Warning that there may be no consensus in the Commons around any possible outcome, the foreign secretary told Today: “If this deal is rejected, ultimately what we may end up with is not a different type of Brexit but Brexit paralysis.
“And Brexit paralysis ultimately could lead to no Brexit.
“I’m saying this would be (an) incredibly damaging breach of trust and it would also be very bad for Britain’s reputation abroad, having decided to leave the EU, if we in the end for whatever reasons found we weren’t able to do it.”