Boris Johnson’s ‘super Canada’ Brexit plan branded ‘not workable’
2 min read
Boris Johnson’s alternative plan for Brexit has been branded “not workable or negotiable” by the Government.
The former Foreign Secretary published his vision for Britain leaving the EU in a 4,600 word Telegraph article on Friday.
Mr Johnson said the UK should instead pursue a “super Canada trade deal” aiming for zero tariffs and quotas, with investment in new technology to ease customs at the border.
But Brexit minister Chris Heaton-Harris hit back last night, saying: “This is not a workable or negotiable plan for Brexit – as both sides have made clear on several occasions.
“No deal is available without a guarantee that there would be no hard border in Northern Ireland in any eventuality, the so-called Irish backstop.”
Meanwhile a Government source told the Guardian: “Boris was a member of the cabinet that agreed the December joint report – and praised the PM for doing so – and was part of the committee that agreed the customs backstop.”
And leading Tory Remainer Nicky Morgan accused Mr Johnson of an "absolutely deliberate" attempt to undermine Theresa May ahead of Conservative party conference.
She told PoliticsHome: "At least this year he has accepted that he cannot remain a part of government and do this. He's now a backbencher, so he’s perfectly entitled to his views.
"But he knows how important the party conference is to the Prime Minister, to the party, and it’s obviously designed to make it clear that, yet again, we will be talking as much about Boris as we will about the Conservative programme for government next week."
'SPEAK UP FOR WHAT I BELIEVE IN'
Speaking to the BBC ahead of the Tory party conference in Birmingham, Mr Johnson meanwhile refused to rule out a future leadership bid.
He said: “My job is to speak up for what I believe in and the vision that I’ve set out today and I believe in it very, very sincerely.
“I’m going to keep going for as long as it takes.”
Theresa May vowed that the Tory conference, which kicks off in Birmingham tomorrow, would be focused on “opportunity”, with the PM focusing on a vision for post-Brexit Britain.
She said: “We’re now at a crucial moment. So at this conference, we will be setting out how we will provide opportunity for all – a stronger, fairer country with real opportunity for people who work hard and do the right thing.”
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