GOING SOFT
Fury as Philip Hammond calls for Britain to keep EU laws and open borders after Brexit
The Chancellor mocked Theresa May and Boris Johnson as he spoke in Davos
PHILIP HAMMOND was blasted today as he called for Britain to keep most European rules after Brexit.
The Chancellor was called “tin-eared” after he told business bosses he wanted any changes to EU laws after we have left to be “very modest”.
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Mr Hammond also hinted he wanted an immigration regime similar to today’s open borders between Britain and Europe.
The inflammatory comments were made as the Chancellor spoke at a lunch in Davos hosted by the pro-EU CBI business lobby.
He said: “We are taking two completely interconnected and aligned economies with high levels of trade between them, and selectively, moving them, hopefully very modestly, apart.”
Brexit backers want the Government to ditch EU rules which they say tie up firms in red tape and harm economic growth.
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But Mr Hammond’s remarks suggest he wants the UK legal regime to remain similar to European laws.
He hinted at a continuation of free movement of people as he added: “We want to maintain the closest
possible relationship in people-to-people exchanges.”
And during his talk, he took jabs at both Theresa May and Boris Johnson.
Mr Hammond said: “I’m told a walk in the mountain air was what encouraged the PM to call the general election last year so I’m hoping she stays indoors this time.
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“As we came into Davos, there was an avalanche warning yet the Foreign Secretary isn’t even here.”
The Chancellor - a strong supporter of Remain in the EU referendum - has repeatedly been accused of being too gloomy about Brexit.
Tory backbenchers have previously called on the PM to sack him and replace by him someone more enthusiastic about the opportunities presented by leaving the EU.
May is being too 'timid' on Brexit, blasts Rees-Mogg
THERESA MAY is too “timid” to make the best of Brexit, Jacob Rees-Mogg blasted tonight.
The Tory rising star claimed ministers see quitting the EU as a "damage limitation exercise".
He said: "The British people did not vote for that. They did not vote for the management of decline. They voted for hope and opportunity and politicians must now deliver it.
"If we do not, if we are timid and cowering and terrified of the future, then our children and theirs will judge us in the balance and find us wanting. We have our future and our destiny in our hands."
Speaking in Hampshire, Mr Rees-Mogg warned that Britain was on track effectively to stay in the single market and customs union.
He added: "Close alignment means de facto the single market, it would make the UK a rule-taker like Norway, divested of even the limited influence we currently have.
"Conformity with EU rules will also prevent us from making meaningful trade deals with other nations. No sensible nation would negotiate with the UK for a marginal gain when we would merely be a vassal of the EU."
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