Norway-style plan for Brexit does not deliver on the referendum result
We would effectively still be EU members with no vote, nor power to strike our own trade deals — wrecking Brexit’s central economic case
ONE Brexit option now touted out of sheer desperation is the worst of all worlds. It’s known as Norway-Plus.
The Sun has a lot of time for its champion, Tory MP Nick Boles. But it is not the serious, sensible, unifying compromise he believes. Nor does it deliver on the referendum.
Joining EFTA — part of the European Economic Area — alongside Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein would leave us nominally “out” of the EU. But that’s pretty much where it ends.
We would still be in the single market, accepting free movement, with a supposed “brake” we would never deploy.
Worse, we would remain in an EU customs union too, to “avoid” the mythical hard border in Ireland no one will ever build.
We would effectively still be EU members with no vote, nor power to strike our own trade deals — wrecking Brexit’s central economic case.
It’s a non-Brexit that only satisfies Remainers. The Leave victory was motivated by a desire for sovereignty, including control over immigration. This fulfils none of it. It won’t fly.
Even a second referendum is better — though obviously “Remain” cannot be on the ballot, the first vote having ruled it out.
Zombie Tories
CAN the Government not see the obvious conclusion voters draw from its zombie-apocalypse vision of a no-deal Brexit?
Downing Street trots out these scenarios — medicines, food and water running short and bodies going unburied — like they were inevitable. But it was their job to prepare us. Had they done so from 2016, we would be in good shape.
Chancellor Philip Hammond actually considered it irresponsible to spend money on it. The Government, incredibly, feared upsetting Brussels.
Now they’re saying: “Brexit’s coming! Look how little we’ve done to be ready.”
It is jaw-dropping negligence.
Jezza gibber
CORBYN’S Brexit policy is a pack of lies.
He seriously claims Labour could secure all the benefits of the single market while defying its rules, including on immigration, and staying in a customs union while doing our own trade deals.
Literally none of it is possible. Yet Corbyn fantasises that Brussels would just surrender to his superior charm and guile.
Even as the Tories implode, Labour remains a laughing stock.
Toxic tech
EX-GCHQ chief Robert Hannigan is right to brand Facebook a threat to democracy.
Most users cannot see its misuse of their data or the danger of the fake news it spreads. But Facebook is a publisher — a toxic one, beyond regulation.
It cannot remain a law unto itself.