Michael Heseltine: Jeremy Corbyn government would do ‘less damage’ than Brexit
2 min read
Tory grandee Michael Heseltine has said that a Jeremy Corbyn government would do “less damage” to the UK than Brexit.
In a shock intervention, the former Cabinet minister said the “short-term pain” inflicted by a Labour prime minister would be easier to endure than the effects of leaving the EU.
Speaking on the Limehouse podcast, he said: “Well, we have survived Labour governments before.
“Their damage tends to be short-term and capable of rectification. Brexit is not short-term and is not easily capable of rectification.
“There will be those who question whether the short-term pain justifies the avoidance of the long-term disaster.”
He also suggested that public opinion was shifting on the issue.
“If you look at the polls there is probably a bigger majority against Brexit than the referendum secured but that, I think, will continue to happen and it will become more and more unpopular as people realise what it’s all about,” he said.
The Conservative peer added that the Labour party may respond by distancing itself from Brexit, leaving the Tories to face the backlash.
“When that happens, the Labour party will move, and the present government will be left holding the baby.
“But then you have got to realise the present government is supported by large numbers of people as opposed to Brexit as I am. How long will they remain within the tribe and loyal to the party?” he asked.
On the Labour leader, he said: “He was always someone to the extreme of his party arguing causes for which there was virtually no support within his party.
“But such is the dynamic of Brexit that he is now seen as a potential prime minister.”
Eurosceptic Tory MPs reacted furiously to the remarks, with backbencher Nigel Evans telling The Sun: "Only a euro fanatic of the pedigree of Michael Heseltine could believe that a Venezuela loving Corbyn Government would be preferable to leaving his beloved EU.
“A run on the pound and a return to the damaging state controlled industries of the 60s would inflict immense damage on the UK.
“It’s about time Tarzan hung up his loin cloth and got behind Theresa May who is delivering what the UK voted for and is doing it rather well without irrelevant interventions of the Jurassic Park era."
Prominent Brexiter, Jacob Rees-Mogg added: "It shows how deep seated his love for the EU is that he would rather bankrupt the nation than leave it.
Most people become wise with age, Lord Heseltine is the exception that proves the rule."
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