Saturday 19 November 2022 10:17 PM Government 'considering putting the UK on the road to a Swiss-style ... trends now
The UK could be headed for a 'Swiss-style' relationship with the EU within the next decade after it was reported senior figures in Rishi Sunak's government are considering adopting a similar attitude which removes barriers to trade.
Brexiteer Tory MPs last night reacted with fury to the reports and said it could amount to a 'betrayal' of the freedoms they say were won following the referendum result in 2016, adding the Conservative Party 'wouldn't wear it'.
Former Cabinet Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg said the Conservatives are a 'Brexit party' and would risk becoming a 'non-Brexit party' if it agreed to 'unfettered' trade with the EU.
Downing Street sources rejected the report but the Times suggested that behind closed doors some in Government have indicated the pursuit of a frictionless trading relationship requires moving to a Swiss-style arrangement over the next 10 years.
The plan, designed to foster closer economic ties with the bloc, would represent a major break with the approach adopted by Boris Johnson.
It comes as the UK remains in deadlock talks with the EU over the Northern Ireland protocol.
Senior figures in Rishi Sunak's government are said to be considering a Swiss-style deal - a report the government does not recognise
Former Brexit opportunities minister Jacob Rees-Mogg said: 'This would be Brexit in name only – it would basically take the teeth out of Brexit and does not even replace it with dentures'
The plan, designed to foster closer economic ties with the bloc, would represent a major break with the approach adopted by Boris Johnson
Switzerland and the EU have a close economic relationship based on a series of bilateral agreements, giving the country direct access to parts of the EU's internal market including the free movement of people.
However, Government sources insisted that freedom of movement and entry to the single market would be off the table.
Any deals between the UK and Brussels would have to benefit both sides as equals and would take many years to strike, they said, adding that they didn't recognise the Swiss model as a template.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has already alarmed Brexiteers after he said he was seeking 'unfettered trade' with the EU, although he cautioned that this must be outside the single market.
Tory Brexit campaigners reacted angrily to the report about a Swiss-style model in the Sunday Times, with one telling The Mail on Sunday: 'It didn't take long for the mask to slip.
'This is a total betrayal. The ERG [European Research Group of eurosceptic Tory MPs] must fight this tooth and nail.'
Former Brexit opportunities minister Jacob Rees-Mogg said: 'This would be Brexit in name only – it would basically take the teeth out of Brexit and does not
