Business Secretary says Theresa May’s customs partnership plan is still on in ‘declaration of war’ on Brexiteer MPs
The Business Sec was slammed as 'sent out to beg MPs to back the PM's plan' with warnings that bring back 'Project Fear'
THERESA MAY was accused of “declaring war” on her Eurosceptic MPs yesterday as a key aide warned thousands of jobs will go without a customs partnership with the EU.
Business Secretary Greg Clark said the PM’s preferred option for a post-Brexit customs deal with the EU had NOT been killed off in a Cabinet row last week.
Furious Eurosceptic Tory MPs accused Downing Street of reviving George Osborne’s anti-Brexit ‘Project Fear’ and being in the grip of “Remainers”.
They insisted there was no way Greg Clark would make such an “extraordinary” public comment without backing from No.10.
Mr Clark had also suggested it was “possible” the UK may not be ready – because of delays with technology – to move to a new customs arrangement until FOUR YEARS after Brexit.
And speaking on the BBC Andrew Marr Show, he hinted Toyota’s decision on new car factory might depend on the plan being agreed by Government ministers. He said: “You can compare models but you need to have in mind future jobs and also the very important jobs for people today.”
One senior Tory said: “This is declaration of war. They have decided they have nowhere else to go. But if enough people get fed up they will ask for a vote of confidence in Theresa May.”
Brexit champion, Tory backbencher Jacob Rees Mogg added: “This Project Fear has been so thoroughly discredited that you would have thought have it would come to an end by now.”
Mrs May’s inner circle of top Ministers voted 6 to 5 against a Customs Partnership – where the UK would essentially keep systems as they are but collect duty on behalf of the EU – last week.
Brexit-backers claim the plan ties us too closely to the EU and will essentially keep Britain in the single market.
The opponents led by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson instead champion a ‘Max Facilitation’ plan where goods coming into the UK are tracked by smart cameras and other technology.
But No.10 insiders fear Theresa May will only be able to convince the Commons to back Brexit by pushing ahead with the partnership.
Rattled Downing Street sources yesterday said it was “nonsense” to say Greg Clark’s comments were part of an orchestrated move.
But business lobby groups the CBI and British Chambers of Commerce had both tweeted support for Mr Clark – saying “practical” solutions were more important than “ideology” – within minutes of him speaking.
Europhile campaign group Best For Britain added it was obvious the Business Secretary had been “sent out to beg” MPs to back the PM’s plan.
Pro-EU Tory MPs yesterday urged Theresa May to take on the Eurosceptics in their ranks. Anna Soubry said: “The PM has got to sort out and see off these ideologues, who are blighting our party.”
Ex-Home Secretary Amber Rudd tweeted: “Greg Clark quite right making the case clearly and yes, passionately, for a Brexit that protects existing jobs and future investment.”
Brexit backers predicted No.10 will place huge pressure on Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and new Home Secretary Sajid Javid to change their minds and back a customs partnership in the coming days.
One said: “Watch this space, I expect Gavin to be offered the billions he’s been seeking for the Defence Budget any time now.”
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Last night it was claimed senior Eurocrats are demanding post-Brexit Britain stays closely aligned to EU standards and policy because of Jeremy Corbyn.
Brussels is said to fear the Labour leader would dramatically change Britain through policies such as state aid if he entered No10.
Separately, senior Tory Michael Gove retweeted a message on Twitter stressing the need to break free of EU customs rules.
He said: “Very helpful.”
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