Sajid Javid and Liam Fox back ‘generous’ Brexit offer agreed at Chequers — it’s time for EU to show movement
AT Chequers on Friday, the Cabinet agreed a collective plan to deliver on the next stage of Brexit.
A plan that will allow us to take back control of our laws, money and borders, and protect British jobs in everything from fishing to manufacturing to financial services.
It will end freedom of movement, restore the supremacy of UK courts and stop us sending vast sums to Brussels each year, with a Brexit dividend worth billions for domestic priorities like our long-term NHS plan.
Our UK-EU free trade area, with a commitment to maintaining a common rule book for goods and agricultural products, will mean frictionless trade, protecting jobs and honouring our commitments in Northern Ireland.
And our business-friendly customs model enables the UK to secure trading opportunities around the world, meaning more and better jobs in places like the Midlands and the North.
The UK would have its own seat at the World Trade Organisation, be able to set trade tariffs and secure deals with other countries.
Crucially, it will be elected MPs who decide whether UK laws and regulations should change, with consequences for market access if we choose a different approach from the EU.
It will make Britain truly sovereign, while also allowing us to continue co-operating closely with our friends in Europe.
It is a generous offer and, from one Union to another, we expect the EU to now show movement in their position too.
And it won’t just make Britain more prosperous – it will keep our citizens safe too.
Our security services, police and judiciary have an extremely close working relationship with their counterparts across the EU.
In the past 12 months, GCHQ has helped break up terrorist plots in at least four European countries.
And we have extradited more than 10,000 suspects using European Arrest Warrants.
Of course, it is not all one way – we regularly receive evidence on criminals here or intent on travelling to Britain.
Europe’s security is our security, and we are unconditionally committed to maintaining it.
So under our plan, we will continue to participate in EU security agencies such as Europol and Eurojust.
We will aim to remain part of all the EU tools and measures that the UK uses today.
With the UK having full control of immigration, it will be harder for foreign criminals to come here, and easier for us to kick them out if they do. Of course, our security interests don’t begin and end at our borders, or even at the edge of Europe.
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Whether it’s Russia, Syria, Afghanistan or beyond, threats continue to emerge and develop around the world.
After we leave the EU we will be free to pursue a truly independent foreign policy but that does not mean we will isolate ourselves from our neighbours.
Under our proposals, we will continue to consult and co-operate with our EU partners on global issues.
We will work with the EU on sanctions like those recently imposed on Russia, including co-ordinating them where it’s in our interests to do so.
Our joint work on defence capability and space will continue. And we will decide where our armed forces and foreign aid could be used alongside the EU.
Brexit has never been about turning our backs on Europe, pulling down the shutters and keeping ourselves to ourselves.
Since well before the EU existed we have traded with and fought alongside allies around the world, and that won’t end when we leave next March.
There’s still a lot of negotiating to be done. But our ambitious, effective proposal for a smooth customs arrangement and continued security co-operation is a huge step forward.
It’s a good deal for Europe, and a good deal for Britain.