John Baron MP questions Prime Minister on Brexit Agreement

MP says Britain would prosper under WTO rules

In the House of Commons yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Theresa May MP, gave a Statement following the European Council meeting on Sunday.

In the Chamber, John asked,

“The Prime Minister is aware that many of us have wished her well in these negotiations, but it appears that the Withdrawal Agreement sacrifices much and secures very little.”

“Article 129(3) states that ‘the United Kingdom shall refrain, during the transition period, from any action which is likely to be prejudicial to the EU’s interest’. Does this mean that the UK will be unable, for example, to cut taxes, regulate businesses such as Uber and disagree with EU foreign policy in the United Nations, and why is this clause not reciprocated by the EU?”

The Prime Minister responded that both sides have a duty to act in good faith, and that the UK sits as an independent member of the United Nations. She also undertook to write to John to address his questions more fully.

John said afterwards,

“I look forward to reading the Prime Minister’s response, as it is strange that the Agreement does not include reciprocal obligations on the EU. This is yet another reason why, unless it is amended, I will not support it in the vote on 11 December. Colleagues and I will continue to urge No.10 to address this and other areas – the inability of the UK to exit the backstop of its own accord being a key issue.”

“The Government has little chance of getting the present Agreement through Parliament. The chances are therefore increasing of a Brexit on WTO terms – terms by which we successfully trade with the rest of the world. We should ignore the doom-mongers who predict disaster if this was to happen. These are largely the same people, such as the IMF, OECD and the Bank of England, who admitted their predictions of economic woe were wrong if we voted to leave the EU.”

“They need to recognise that investment is about relative advantage. Key determinants include lower taxes, greater labour market flexibility, our financial expertise and skilled workforce – not 3-5% tariffs. Trade usually prevails – witness the present record low unemployment and inward investment. There is every reason to believe Britain would prosper.”