Brexiteers ‘won vote but lost war’ warns former Tory MP - 'UK heading for SOFT BREXIT'
THE UK is heading for a soft Brexit, a former Tory MP has warned.
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Hardline Brexiteers are only being indulged by Theresa May, with plans for a soft Brexit already coming together.
The Irish border row late last year highlighted how Brexit was quickly changing, said broadcaster Matthew Parris, an MP for West Derbyshire from 1979 to 1986.
He said much like a big fish caught on a line, Brexiteers were being allowed to tire themselves out before they were reeled in.
Mr Parris wrote for the Times newspaper: “A year ago they were in fighting mood. As every fisherman knows, a powerful fish can break the line or rip the hook from its cheek, especially while the creature is fresh from the fight.
Brexit Negotiations: Britain's sternest enemies
Tue, April 4, 2017According to a new index, the EU27 countries fall into three groups: hard-core, hard and soft. These are the countries with the highest scores which indicate a fairly strong opposition to Britain’s position
France has the highest score in the index at 32.5
“It’s important in this early stage not to test the fish to its limit.”
He said Brexiteers were being manipulated and led to believe they were in the driving seat when really plans for a soft - or “nominal” - Brexit were already in place.
Mr Parris wrote: “I offer Brexiteers this warning. You’re heading for a soft Brexit. It’s just that they haven’t told you yet. And when you’re finally landed, flapping and gasping on deck, don’t say we didn’t warn you.
“There was strategic wisdom in starting with Liam Fox, Boris Johnson and David Davis in nominal charge of the Brexit negotiations.”
He said Remainers and soft Brexiteers in Government were quietly letting the “real world” do the work for them - much as a fisherman lets water resistance and current in a river subdue a tiring fish.
Mr Parris wrote: “Brexiteers met no declared opposition from within British government. Instead if was resistance from the real world that began to take its toll. The natural drag on optimism that we call ‘reality’ was doing Remainers’ work for us.
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“This year the reeling in begins in earnest.”
The Irish border issue proved beyond doubt a soft Brexit is the only solution, the former MP said.
Mrs May promised Northern Ireland would leave the EU on the same terms as England, Wales and Scotland. However she also promised no regulatory misalignment on the island of Ireland.
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This can only be achieved if Britain remains on similar economic terms with the EU as the Republic - a soft Brexit.
Mr Parris concluded: “Then came the really vicious yank: the soft-border promise to the Irish Republic. The line tautened sickeningly. Some hardliners snapped a bit and the water frothed for a day or two, then silence. Brexiteers flunked their key opportunity to break free.
“Piece by piece, their vision is coming apart. Piece by piece a different picture is forming: nominal Brexit, Brexit in name only.”
