Quote of the day 17th March 2019
"Forced to choose, I would rather deal with the risk of staying in the customs union from 2021," (if the 'backstop' is triggered under the May deal) "than be forced into a permanent customs union by either opposition MPs or the EU ion a matter of weeks.
"Having spent so much of my life campaigning for Britain to leave the EU, and having given birth to the Brexit bible, I hope that the MPs I campaigned alongside in the referendum will see the grave risks and back the deal.
"My treasure trove of Eurosceptic mementos shows that some of the most vocal critics of May's deal once proposed even softer forms of Brexit. And the political declaration provides the scope for the more refined form of Brexit outlined in 'Change or Go.'
"Now that MPs have ruled out leaving without a deal, and since I know the 'Remain' majority would accept even the most risible conditions from the EU to get an extension, the best way forward is to support the withdrawal agreement and acknowledge the prize that is still on offer. It is far from perfect, but I would rather opt for the risk of a customs union later - a risk that has diminished in recent weeks - than the very real risk of a permanent customs union now."
(Matthew Elliott, who was chief executive of both Business for Britain and Vote Leave, writing in today's Sunday Times urging MPs to vote for the May Deal because if it is not passed, quote, "Brexit probably won't happen."
The "Brexit bible" to which he refers is the "Change or Go" report published in 2015 by Business for Britain.)
"Having spent so much of my life campaigning for Britain to leave the EU, and having given birth to the Brexit bible, I hope that the MPs I campaigned alongside in the referendum will see the grave risks and back the deal.
"My treasure trove of Eurosceptic mementos shows that some of the most vocal critics of May's deal once proposed even softer forms of Brexit. And the political declaration provides the scope for the more refined form of Brexit outlined in 'Change or Go.'
"Now that MPs have ruled out leaving without a deal, and since I know the 'Remain' majority would accept even the most risible conditions from the EU to get an extension, the best way forward is to support the withdrawal agreement and acknowledge the prize that is still on offer. It is far from perfect, but I would rather opt for the risk of a customs union later - a risk that has diminished in recent weeks - than the very real risk of a permanent customs union now."
(Matthew Elliott, who was chief executive of both Business for Britain and Vote Leave, writing in today's Sunday Times urging MPs to vote for the May Deal because if it is not passed, quote, "Brexit probably won't happen."
The "Brexit bible" to which he refers is the "Change or Go" report published in 2015 by Business for Britain.)
Comments
Not sure it adds much to the debate, though.