That's NOT what we voted for! Brexiteers don’t want single market IMPOSED on UK
BREXITEER businessman John Mills bemoaned the possibility of the European Union’s single market being imposed on Britain.
The Labour Party donor said British voters had made their decision because they wanted to sell to Europe without being completely trapped inside the EU’s set of rules.
Theresa May and her European counterparts agreed to a joint report in a bid to ensure Brexit negotiations can move onto trade.
The agreement will see Northern Ireland aligned with the European Union’s single market, enabling Remainers to demand that other parts, including Scotland and London, are offered the same terms when Britain finally leaves the bloc.
GETTY•CNBC
The country wanted to be able to sell to the European Union but to have some flexibility
Speaking to CNBC, Mr Mills said he sees the recent Brexit talks as “positive” but bemoaned the possibility of remaining in the single market.
He said: “If Britain agreed that we would comply with every aspect of the single market I don’t think there would be any problem getting a trade deal.
“But, I don’t think that is, really, what most people in the country want.
“What most people in the country wanted to be able to sell to the European Union, to sell to the single market, but to have some flexibility about the way in which we organise our affairs and not to have the single market imposing the same sorts of restrictions on companies that don’t trade with the EU, which is the case at the moment.”
Mr Mills admitted it will be harder to negotiate a final trade deal for services rather than goods.
Brexit Secretary David Davis this weekend said Britain would likely sign a “Canada plus plus plus” deal.
Canada’s trade deal with the European Union covers goods but very few services, meaning Mr Davis would like to agree a greater deal to enable services – such as nuclear and aviation – to be a part of it.
Mr Mills added: “The Canadian agreement doesn’t really cover services at all, and this is really the big area where the negotiations are going to be more tricky.
“At the moment, we haven’t got a single market in services in the European Union, so we’re not starting from a terribly high base but Britain is very reliant service exports and if we’re precluded from selling to the single market that is going to be a big issue.”
