Yahoo News Soft Brexiteers 'living in fantasy land' warns former EU Commissioner for Trade
The former European Commissioner for Trade has warned that any hopes Britain may maintain of having its Brexit cake and eating it too amount to little more than a “fantasy”.
Karel de Gucht told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Thursday morning that for Britain to have full access to the single market after Brexit it would effectively have to remain a member of the market and sign up to its accompanying responsibilities.
“Access to the internal market will mean you are part of the internal market and you will have to live up to the rules of the internal market and cannot strike trade deals with any other party”, he said.
De Gucht, a Belgian politician, went on to suggest that the government’s attempt to negotiate deals with companies like Nissan to keep them in the UK after Brexit may pose problems for a trade deal with the EU.
“There are doubts in Brussels whether this is in conformity with state aid rules and with competition”, he said.
The stark warning from the former European trade commissioner comes as the Labour Party’s stance on Brexit was thrown into fresh doubt, with senior figures leaving the door open to the single market just days after leader Jeremy Corbyn vowed any government he leads would take Britain out of it.
Read more from Yahoo News UK
Labour’s Brexit position in doubt as senior figures leave door open to single market
Labour could change its position on Brexit, admits Jeremy Corbyn advisor
As controversy reigns over whether any future trade deal between Britain and the U.S. will involve the importation of chlorine-soaked chicken, de Gucht suggested that may be the least of Britain’s worries.
After making clear that any trade deal could not take place before Britain has left the EU, including during the transitionary period, he said it would “not be easy” for the UK to strike a deal with the EU that also allows them to enter into deals that would compete with European goods and services.
MOST POPULAR STORIES FROM YAHOO UK:
Millionaire boss who branded Corbyn a ‘tw*t’ insists radio rant featured ‘the right words’
Going underground: New Crossrail images show futuristic architecture of tunnels
Donald Trump just banned transgender people from serving in the US military
Village chiefs in Pakistan order ‘revenge rape’ of girl, 16, over brother’s alleged assault
Theresa May just quietly abandoned an election manifesto pledge
