When the British people voted to leave the EU over two years ago it was an act of great political courage against the prophets of doom. Yet 17 million people voted to leave because they believed in better. They believe in Britain and the kind of country we can build – a land of opportunity, independent in the world.
They were right to do so. Everyone knows that Europe's share of the global economy has plummeted in recent decades. It used to account for 30% a few years ago. Now it is just half that. With 90% of future global growth coming from outside Europe, we can grow as the rest of the World grows. That will mean a brighter future for Britain.
The Government would be wrong to be fearful of Britain enjoying an independent future. Theresa May’s Chequers proposals would shackle us to the EU forever. We would be out of Europe yet still run by Europe. This is why the Prime Minister should “chuck Chequers”. We should instead seek an a Canada style free trade agreement with the EU to make the most of the global opportunities that lie ahead.
The United Kingdom does not need to do a deal with the EU. The EU needs to do a deal with us at all costs. No deal means no divorce bill – handing a £40 billion Brexit bonus to The UK which we could use for tax cuts or improved public set. The EU also sells £100 billion more in goods to us than we sell to them. Any problems at the borders would have a detrimental effect on several member states especially Ireland. While trade taxes at the border – tariffs - would hit the EU twice as hard as the UK if anyone were silly enough to impose them.
If the EU tried to shut out our banks, that too would hit the EU hardest. It would make borrowing more expensive for EU businesses, making their economies even less competitive. Finally we are told we need security and criminal co-operation at all costs. Yet we are a key security guarantee for Europe against Russian aggression. While the European Arrest Warrant benefits the EU ten times more than us.
Nor should we be cowed by threats from the EU. Threats that our aircraft will not be able to take off, that we will be starved of food or even denied medicines. In every case the reality is that the EU’s threats would simply rebound on the EU. Yet the more they threaten us, the clearer they make the case for taking back control. For any organisation that makes threats like this is not one we should have anything to do with. Indeed, our history teaches us that we should never indulge or appease bullying behaviour.
It is time the Government realised that the EU stands to lose much from no deal being agreed and stopped being cowed by the EU’s threats. It is time to face down vested interests in the establishment and put democracy first. Yet most of all, it is time ‘to chuck Chequers’, respect the referendum, be out of Europe, take back control and believe in Britain.