ANALYSIS: Brexiteers fear a stitch-up as Theresa May's 'third way' customs plan takes shape
3 min read
"If this is true, then we are f****d," one told PoliticsHome last week as they pored over his blog
To be fair, you can see why they may be feeling a bit aggrieved as they prepare for Friday's make-or-break Cabinet away day at Chequers.
According to Peston's sources, May's proposal will look suspiciously like the New Customs Partnership arrangement which was her preferred model, but which had been firmly rejected by the likes of Boris Johnson and Michael Gove.
Under the new arrangement - which would still need the agreement of Brussels, remember - Britain would leave the formal customs union while staying signed up to the EU's common external tariff.
That would mean the UK collecting taxes on the EU's behalf, something which is anathema for any self-respecting Leaver.
The UK would also, it is claimed, try to enter a single market on goods with the EU in a bid to avoid the return of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Now, there is a massive health warning attached to all of this: Downing Street are insisting that it is not wholly true.
"In several fundamental ways, (Peston) is talking complete cobblers," said one source.
But such is the level of mistrust towards the PM from the Brexiteer wing of her Cabinet, they are willing to believe that she is preparing to stitch them up.
"This would be the New Customs Partnership in everything but name," said one senior Whitehall insider. "We thought that had been killed off."
Back in February, at a previous Chequers away day designed to bring together the warring Tory tribes, the Brexiteers had declared victory over whether the UK would be free to make its own rules and regulations after quitting the EU. One famously said: "Divergence has won the way."
Now, though, they smell betrayal, believing that Mrs May has arranged Friday's get-together in order to present them with a fait accompli that they will either have to accept or resign from the Government.
"It doesn't look as though divergence has won the day after all," said one mournful Brexiteer.
Cabinet ministers have been told to expect the Chequers summit to last from 9.30am until 10pm, PoliticsHome understands. One minister said: "God help us."
It will include a presentation from Chancellor Philip Hammond on the Treasury's economic forecasts for Brexit, an interlude already being dubbed "Project Fear 2" by some of his Brexiteer colleagues.
There is one bit of levity among the gloom, however. PoliticsHome understands that one of the main items of concern for those attending is what the dress code should be.
"There's a swimming pool, so maybe I should bring by cozzie," said one minister.
