North West Norfolk MP understands why ministers quit over Brexit

North West Norfolk MP Sir Henry Bellingham has given guarded support to the Prime Minister’s Chequers declaration on Brexit.

The communique, which committed the UK to the sort of ‘soft-Brexit’ opposed by many ardent Leavers, led to David Davis, the minister heading Brexit negotiations, and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, quitting the cabinet.

He said: “Whilst it is highly regrettable the Rt Hon David Davis MP and the Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP resigned, nevertheless, they are men of honour and principle and felt they could not go along with a proposal which they could not put their hearts into.

"I fully understand this reaction because the deal put forward is far from ideal, and it goes further than many of us had hoped as far as the commitment to retain equivalence with the European Union on all standards for manufactured and agricultural goods.

“As the Prime Minister herself admitted this will adversely impact our ability to sign independent trade treaties with third countries.

“I am also far from happy about the suggestion the EU court will continue to carry significant influence; and furthermore there are bound to be significant complications over the customs arrangements for the Irish border.

“Obviously I can quite understand why many people are voicing their grave concerns about the package however, as a pragmatist and realist, I have asked the following three questions.

“First of all, would an agreement that did not contain these concessions have any chance of getting through our Parliament? The answer is a categorical no.

“Secondly is there any prospect whatsoever of the EU accepting more robust terms? The answer here is a categorical no as well.

“Thirdly, was there any other way of sorting out the Irish border question without imposing a hard border and putting at risk the future and integrity of the UK? The answer here is another no.

“This is why I feel it is absolutely essential we now get behind the Prime Minister and support her 100 per cent as she take the agreement to Brussels and different European heads of state and government.”

Whilst it is highly regrettable her two senior ministers have stood down, in some ways this might strengthen her hand with the EU, because it is now obvious that the Prime Minister is not going to be able to make any further concessions.”

Henry went on to say: “He was also pleased and relieved that the Prime Minister had also made it clear that there could not be any further concessions, she is now actively examining and preparing for the “Plan B” of a no deal”. As Henry said “Indeed without proper preparations for a no deal scenario it is unlikely that the EU will take our negotiating position sufficiently seriously.”O