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Thomson Tackles Foreign Secretary on Lack of Brexit Benefits
Gordon MP Richard Thomson has challenged the UK Foreign Secretary in the House of Commons to name any benefits flowing from Brexit on the third anniversary of Scotland being taken out of the EU against its will.
Speaking at Foreign Office Questions, Mr Thomson asked about the UK-EU trade and co-operation agreement and said it was remarkable that, three years on from Brexit, the terms of the UK’s departure are still not finalised.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Richard Thomson MP said:
“It is quite remarkable that three years after the exit from the European Union, the UK Government are still in protracted negotiations - not just with the EU, but with themselves - about the terms on which we are finally going to get Brexit done.
“With the publication of a report by the International Monetary Fund showing not only that the size of the UK economy will shrink over the coming 12 months, but that it will perform more poorly than major competitor economies, can the Secretary of State tell us whether there is a single aspect of prosperity or standing in the world he can think of that has been enhanced in any way by the terms on which we have left?”
In response, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly did not name any benefits and said:
“I can assure the hon. Gentleman that if he is suggesting our exit from the European Union has been tricky, I think that is probably a fair assessment.”
The Foreign Secretary then tried to deflect onto the subject of Scottish independence before being pulled-up by the Speaker.
Speaking afterwards, Richard Thomson added:
“We know that Brexit has set back the UK economy and impacted negatively of the cost-of-living and now it seems that even Conservative Cabinet Ministers simply no longer have the heart or the energy to defend their flagship policy, because even they now realise just what a mistake this has been, the ramifications of which will be felt for years to come.”
-ends-
Note: Photo attached shows Richard Thomson MP in the House of Commons.
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