Liam Fox: Brexit must end before 2022 election

Liam Fox: Brexit must end before 2022 election

Liam Fox today warned Britain's transition out of the European Union must be over by the time of the next election.

In line with other Brexit supporters in the Cabinet, Dr Fox has conceded the need for a phased exit from the European Union.

But amid fears the transition could extend for years Britain's association with the trading bloc, Dr Fox said the next election was a hard deadline.

He insisted today on the Andrew Marr Show that he was more convinced than ever of the merits of Brexit, citing the robust economy since the referendum vote.

Dr Fox's intervention today comes after angry Cabinet rows burst into public view amid splits over how to deliver Brexit.

In a separate development, it eme rged today Dr Fox has asked BBC Director General Tony Hall for a meeting about the broadcaster's coverage. He has repeatedly complained in recent weeks about news reports using the phrase 'despite Brexit'.

Liam Fox (pictured today on the Marr show) today warned Britain's transition out of the European Union must be over by the time of the next election

Prime Minister Theresa May (pictured today in Maidenhead) is set to negotiate a phased exit for Britain from the EU 

The International Trade Secretary today insisted there was no 'ideological' block on a transition deal after Britain's EU membership ceases on March 29, 2019.

But he warned: 'Frankly having waited for over 40 years to leave the European Union, 24 months would be a rounding error - whether it's 23 or 25 is not a huge deal, nor is it an ideological one.

'It's about the practical issues we would face about, for example, getting a new immigration system into place, getting any new customs systems into place.

'I think we would want to get it out of the way before the election, I don't think people would want it dragging on.'

Pressed on the election timetable, Dr Fox said: 'I think we have to be very clear it was time limited, and it was limited in it scope, we knew exactly what it was going to mean.

'For example, would we be able to negotiate our own trade agreements during that period. If we were not, we would not be able to take full advantage of the freedoms it would mean.

'I don't think there is any ideological block on a transition, or an implementation period as I would put it.'

Dr Fox said it was 'imperative' Brexit itself happens first followed by the time-limited transition deal. 

In an interview from Washington DC, Dr Fox insisted today on the Andrew Marr Show that he was more convinced than ever of the merits of Brexit, citing the robust economy since the referendum vote

Labour's splits over Europe were exposed again as leader Jeremy Corbyn repeated his endorsement for quitting the single market. He said Labour had not decided yet whether Britain should remain in the customs union.

He told Marr: 'The single market is dependent on membership of the EU. What we have said all along is that we want a tariff free trade access to the European market and a partnership with Europe in the future.

'The two things are inextricably linked so the question then is the kind of trade relationship of the future and we have made it very clear we want a tariff free trade access with the European market.

'We haven't jumped on either side of that fence but, again, the customs union is part of the European Union.'

Labour former frontbencher Chuka Umunna, who led a rebellion against the leadership over its position on the single market, pointed to countries outside the bloc that are part of the trading area and warned that most party members want Britain to remain in the market.

Liberal Democrats accused Mr Corbyn of parroting lies used by Brexiteers and claimed that Labour MPs were being 'intimidated' into toeing the line on Brexit.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn meanwhile, said Labour had not decided yet whether Britain should remain in the customs union

In other developments, it emerged today Dr Fox has written to the BBC Director General to highlight his concerns about the broadcaster's Brexit coverage.

DAVIS LEADS RACE TO REPLACE MAY 

David Davis leads the unofficial race to replace Theresa May as Tory leader and Prime Minister a new poll of party members reveals today. 

More than a fifth of the Tory faithful back the Brexit Secretary to take over if Mrs May bows to post-election pressure to fall on her sword and quit.

The poll came a s senior activists claimed Mrs May should quit by Christmas to stem the damage being done to the Conservative brand. 

Mrs May flies out of Britain for a three week holiday tomorrow after scrambling to the summer recess in the aftermath of her election disaster. 

The poll of party members, revealed today by the Observer, reveals Mr Davis as the leading contender backed by 21 per cent.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson remains a contender with the support of 17 per cent of people asked by the Economic and Social Research Council.

Significantly, more than a quarter of people backed no candidate at all in an indication of the desire for a new candidate to emerge.

The letter comes a fortnight after Dr Fox publicly condemned BBC News in the House of Commons for refusing to report economic news without the caveat 'd espite Brexit'. 

Lib Dem Alastair Carmichael condemned the demand. He said: 'This is a blatant attempt at intimidating the BBC and undermining the independence of our media.

'Liam Fox is acting like a tinpot dictator. He can't blame the media for his inability to deliver on all the trade deals promised by the Brexiteers.' 

It emerged on Friday that the Remainers in the Cabinet had won a battle to secure agreement for a transitional deal that could last until 2022 - three full years after Brexit officially takes place and five from the start of the Article 50 process. 

In return, the leading Brexiteers have won the argument for a full exit from the EU single market and customs union. 

But Ukip said Brexit was being betrayed by the plans, which have been given the blessing of the Cabinet despite bitter infighting over how to deliver Brexit.   

In a signal Tory Brexiteers are signed up to the plan, leave-backing Conservative MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan said that Britain would have to overcome its skills gap before cutting immigration.

She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Numbers will start to reduce as we fix our skills gap and we work out with businesses what it is they need.

'Nobody wants to see a system where, if you can't find agricultural workers to pick your strawberries, you allow that business to fail. That is not the solution.'

Other were less content. Some Brexit-backing Tory MPs expressed concerns about the possibility of free movement continuing beyond the date of separation from the EU.

Peter Bone told BBC Radio 4's World At One: 'There's a complete difference between minor technical things that need to go on and majo r things like free movement.

'Free movement has to end no later than March 31 2019, and I think most Conservative MPs would say that, the country would say that and, absolutely the most important thing, I think Mrs May would say that.'

 

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