A CONTROVERSIAL Government paper on the UK’s relationship with the EU after Brexit has been praised by Worcester’s MP Robin Walker despite the turmoil over the plans which have caused deep division within the Tory party.
High profile Brexiteers such as Brexit Secretary David Davis and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson have resigned in protest at Theresa May’s plans which have led to speculation of a leadership challenge against the Prime Minister.
At one point on Sunday evening, Mr Walker appeared to be the sole minister in the Department for Exiting the European Union after Mr Davis was joined through the exit door by minister Steve Baker.
Despite speculation she had joined her colleagues, Suella Braverman has remained in the department alongside Mr Walker to welcome new Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab.
Speaking after the release of the white paper, Mr Walker said the blueprint provided further clarity and detail for UK businesses, in particular on how post-Brexit economic and regulatory arrangements will work.
“The common rulebook as detailed in today’s announcement will help Mazak and other global businesses trade, so they are able to import and export goods successfully without major changes post-Brexit,” he said.
“Furthermore, the white paper maintains the UK’s relations with our EU neighbours, secures jobs and investment, and helps us to establish our new relationship with the EU.”
Mr Walker said he recognised many had voted to remain in the EU and said in respecting the result of the referendum, the Government must bring people together.
“The best way of doing this is for the UK to exit the EU with a strong future partnership which allows us to trade freely with the EU, and co-operate closely in a number of areas,” he said.
“The UK Government should and will deliver on the result: not just for the 52 per cent or 48 per cent, but for 100 per cent of the people we represent and serve. I can assure my constituents as a Brexit Minister I am working hard to do exactly this.”
Among the key points in the plans is the UK will maintain a ‘common rulebook’ for all goods traded with the EU, including agricultural products
The thorny issue of the Northern Ireland border will be tackled by a treaty which will commit the UK to ‘continued harmonisation’ with EU rules as the border between the UK and the EU will be treated as shared customs territory.
Parliament will oversee the UK’s trade policy and have the ability to choose to diverge from the EU rules while the European Court of Justice will no longer have jurisdiction in the UK – but UK courts will have to pay ‘due regard’ to EU case law in certain areas.
The proposals also pledge to end the free movement of people between the UK and the continent but offer to establish guidelines to allow UK and EU citizens to travel to each other’s countries.
Critics of the plan have slammed the Prime Minister for giving away too much too easily and even claimed the blueprint would effectively mean the UK remaining in the EU.
A number of Brexit-backing Tory MPs, including those in the hard-line Brexiteer European Research Group, are bidding to vote against the plans which could lead to the demise of the Prime Minister and an early General Election.
