Sunday 20 November 2022 10:35 PM Prime Minister and Chancellor warned against closer ties with EU after rumours ... trends now
Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt were last night warned against seeking closer ties with the EU.
The Prime Minister and Chancellor reportedly want to put the UK on the path to a 'Swiss-style' relationship with Brussels to boost trade.
But former Cabinet minister Nadine Dorries said voters needed stability and a guarantee that Brexit was 'safe'. Treasury sources insisted a new EU deal was not being discussed or considered.
Mr Hunt admitted last week however that Brexit had led to trade barriers.
Asked whether rejoining the single market would boost growth, the Chancellor replied: 'Having unfettered trade with our neighbours and countries all over the world is very beneficial to growth. I have great confidence that over the years ahead we will find outside the single market we are able to remove the vast majority of the trade barriers that exist between us and the EU.'
The prospect of a Swiss-style deal has alarmed Tories, who fear it will cost them Leave-backing voters at the next election.
It is reported that Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt want to put the UK on a path to 'Swiss-style' relationship with the EU
Former cabinet minister Nadine Dorries has warned the Prime Minister he must convince voters that Brexit is 'safe'
Mrs Dorries said: 'I'd like to see a more robust rebuttal from No 10. They need to reassure people that Brexit is safe, that the question of recommencing payments to the EU is absurd.
'There can be no room for misinformation when what the country craves most right now is stability.'
Brexiteers also fear that the Government is preparing to make concessions to Brussels over the Northern Ireland Protocol, possibly giving the European Court of Justice a role in resolving trade disputes.
The Sunday Times reported yesterday that Government sources want to move over the next decade to a relationship with the EU similar to that enjoyed by Switzerland.
While not a member of the bloc, Switzerland has access to the single market and is part of the visa-free Schengen zone. Switzerland also makes billion-pound 'cohesion' payments to Brussels and allows the freedom of movement.
Asked about the reports, Health Secretary Steve Barclay told Sky News: 'We've got a Prime Minister who himself supported Brexit. I myself did and was Brexit Secretary, and worked very hard to maximise our control of our laws, our borders and our money.
'So, it's absolutely important, particularly in those high-growth sectors, such as financial services, life sciences and the green industries, that we really use the Brexit freedoms we have. So, I don't recognise this story at
