WATCH Tory Brexit splits resurface as Amber Rudd says 'no deal' outcome is 'unthinkable'
2 min read
Tory splits over the Brexit negotiations have once more been laid bare after Amber Rudd said it was “unthinkable” that the UK could leave the EU without a deal.
The Home Secretary’s comments came just minutes after Brexit Secretary David Davis had told MPs the Government was maintaining a “no deal option…for negotiating reasons”.
Ms Rudd’s view also appears to fly in the face of Theresa May’s repeated assertion that "no deal is better than a bad deal".
Appearing before the Home Affairs Committee this afternoon, she told MPs that “more than in any other area” European countries were keen to cooperate with the UK on security issues.
Ms Rudd was asked by committee chair Yvette Cooper whether the UK would still be as safe if there were “no deal of any form”.
The minister replied: “I think it is unthinkable that there would be no deal.
“It is so much in their interests as well as it is in ours, in their communities', in their families', in their tourists' interests, to have something in place. We will make sure there is something between them and us to maintain our security."
SECURITY TREATY
Ms Rudd said the Government was aiming for a wide-ranging security treaty to “plug in” the UK to various EU security programmes.
However she stressed that her department was also carrying out contingency preparations in case there was no treaty agreement.
“We are making alternative plans in case that isn’t agreed with, but I must stress it is absolutely our intention to try and get this treaty and I am optimistic – I know that is often heard by ministers in government – but in this area particularly more than any other area, it really is the case that the EU is keen, European countries are keen for us to continue to support them in the same way they support us.”
A report by the Resolution Foundation today warned that a no-deal Brexit would cost UK families an extra £500 a year on their shopping bills.
They said new goods tariffs will cause prices for dairy products to rocket by 8.1% while the cost of meat will soar by 5.8% and transport vehicles by 5.5%.
If it quits without a deal the UK would fall back on World Trade Organisation rules – with pro-Brexit figures insisting the UK would not be harmed.
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