Ben Bradley MP describes Brexit Withdrawal Agreement as 'simply not acceptable'

Yesterday, the Prime Minister Theresa May successfully managed to get her cabinet to agree to a withdrawal arrangement for Britain’s exit from the European Union. 

In that arrangement, it would see Britain remaining strong partners with the EU and put Northern Ireland into a close relationship with the EU’s Single Market and a new “backstop” customs union. 

This “backstop” is reported to be temporary, however if the UK wishes to leave the backstop it must have the agreement of the European Union to do so.

It would also see the UK pay £39bn to leave the European Union, while “ending freedom of movement” and creating a new “points-based” immigration policy. 

It means the UK would leave the Common Fishery and Agricultural Policies, creating a common understanding between UK and the EU about these sectors.

However, speaking after the Prime Minister revealed the agreement, Ben Bradley MP said it is “simply not acceptable” and that the Prime Minister should “make way” for somebody who can deliver a “better deal”. 

He said: “I cannot in good conscience support this proposed Withdrawal Agreement, which seeks to tie us in to a customs union - though under a different name - and that we cannot leave without the EU’s permission.

“That is giving away control over our economic future and trade plans.

“This customs union prevents us from doing meaningful trade deals with other countries and therefore diminishes the potential benefits of leaving the EU.

“Whilst in theory we can do deals, the scope of those deals will be so limited as to make them almost pointless.

“Having different arrangements for Northern Ireland in this agreement is also breaking the PM’s own red lines and provokes a constitutional argument about the UK.

“Scottish Nationalists will understandably ask ‘if NI can be different, why not Scotland?’, putting the Union at risk.

“I can’t support a plan that could lead to the break up of the UK.

“There also seem to be significant problems around the role of European Courts, and in ongoing alignment with a number of EU rules for another decade or more.

That’s not something I can support. Today colleagues will press the PM to go back and tell Brussels that this plan is simply not acceptable and is not going to pass through a vote in Parliament.

“Both remain and leave voting MPs are unhappy with it and there are alternatives out there, including walking away.

“I believe she needs to now be strong in the national interest, to tell Brussels that we will leave on our own terms if an agreement cannot be reached that gives us back control over our own future, and if she cannot do that then she should make way for somebody who can.”

Since announcing the arrangement last night, four high-profile ministers have resigned from Theresa May’s cabinet, including Dominic Raab MP, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.

Speaking on Mr Raab’s resignation Jonathan Bullock, East Midlands MEP, said: “The resignation of Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab shows what a bad deal Theresa May has negotiated.

“She now must be forced out and a Brexiteer take over and deliver a real Brexit either by a Canada plus agreement or, if time has ran out, leaving with no deal and on WTO rules.”