John Major savaged by Tory Eurosceptics after former PM’s ‘craven’ speech attacking Theresa May’s Brexit strategy
His intervention was described as ‘peculiar’ and ‘sad’
SIR JOHN Major has been savaged by Tory Eurosceptics over his stinging criticism of Theresa May's Brexit strategy.
The former Prime Minister has been described as "bitter" and "craven" following his scathing intervention on our EU exit.
In a speech at Chatham House the ex-Tory leader said the public were being led to expect a future away from Brussels that is "unreal and over-optimistic".
And Sir John called on Mrs May to inject "a little more charm and a lot less cheap rhetoric" into the Brexit negotiations.
But Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg accused the former premier of being a "bitter man", while another former party leader Iain Duncan Smith said the speech was "peculiar" and "sad".
Mr Rees-Mogg told the BBC: "It was a craven and defeated speech of a bitter man who was heavily defeated by the electorate for his own failings in Europe in 1997.
“He was defeated again last June and now wishes to take out his failures on Mrs May."
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Mr Duncan Smith, a thorn in Sir John's side over the EU during his premiership, told BBC Two's Newsnight: "What I thought when I looked at this speech was that this was a peculiar speech in the sense that it looked backwards the whole time.
"It was almost like a re-fight of the referendum, all the same threats and issues that came up during Project Fear were all in here.”
The ex-minister added: "Strangely bitter, really, and almost, really, the speech of someone who simply refuses to accept that the British people should have made a decision such as they did, and wants them almost to rerun it again until they get it right, which is rather sad, really."
In the speech in London last night, Sir John said voters must be told how the outcomes of the negotiations will affect them.
"I have watched with growing concern as the British people have been led to expect a future that seems to be unreal and over-optimistic,"; he said.
"Obstacles are brushed aside as of no consequence, whilst opportunities are inflated beyond any reasonable expectation of delivery."
Sir John said the talks require "statesmanship of a high order" and warned of a "real risk" of the exit deal falling "well below the hopes and expectations".
"Behind the diplomatic civilities, the atmosphere is already sour,” he added. “A little more charm, and a lot less cheap rhetoric, would do much to protect the UK's interests."
A No 10 source said: "The Government is determined to make a success of our departure from the European Union and to move beyond the language of Leave and Remain to unite our country.
"The Prime Minister set out her 12 negotiating objectives for Brexit in January. We have a clear plan to get the best deal for the United Kingdom and are going to get on with the job of delivering it."