Institute of Economic Affairs calls for Canada-style deal to replace Chequers plan… A Canada-style trade deal would enable Britain to dump “anti-competitive” European Union laws and embrace the “opportunities” of Brexit, senior Conservatives said yesterday. Setting out an alternative to Theresa May’s Chequers plan, leading Brexiteers backed a report that called for the EU to have no say over British laws on the environment, food standards and workers’ rights. They instead called for Britain to strike free-trade deals with countries such as the United States by opening up its markets to exports currently banned by the EU. The report, by the free-market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), was given the backing of both David Davis, the former Brexit secretary, and Boris Johnson, the former foreign secretary. – The Times (£) > Radomir Tylecote on BrexitCentral today: The IEA’s Plan A+ would ensure the UK doesn’t blow the great prize of Brexit …which is backed at its launch by David Davis and Jacob-Rees-Mogg… The Tory MPs spoke alongside an ex-Northern Ireland Secretary and ex-Labour MP and Leave campaigner Gisela Stuart to announce the launch of an alternative Brexit plan published by the Institute of Economic Affairs in Whitehall yesterday. The lengthy report called on ministers to seek a “basic” free trade agreement for goods and pursue “regulatory freedom and trade independence” to allow Britain to strike new free trade deals immediately. The alternative Plan A+ says grasping the opportunities of Brexit must be made the top priority – instead of being a “damage limitation exercise”. It has been compared to the kind of comprehensive free trade deal Canada has struck with the EU but Mr Rees-Mogg said the name didn’t matter – and instead rested on the PM changing her approach. He also claimed the EU had already offered this more basic approach to a new trade deal. – The Sun > WATCH on BrexitCentral’s YouTube channel: David Davis and Jacob Rees-Mogg speak at IEA Brexit plan launch …and welcomed by Boris Johnson and other Brexiteers as a plan to ‘set us free’… Boris Johnson has said that a new Eurosceptic Brexit plan will “set us free to prosper” as he warned that Theresa May’s Chequers compromise will force the UK to accept EU rules “forever”. The former Foreign Secretary gave his backing to a report published by the Institute for Economic Affairs detailing plans for a Canada-style free trade deal with the EU after Brexit. The report was launched yesterday by leading Eurosceptics including David Davis, the former Brexit Secretary, and Jacob Rees-Mogg, and endorsed by Mr Johnson as a “real alternative” to Chequers. Mr Rees-Mogg described the plan as “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”. – Telegraph (£) > Marcus Fysh MP on BrexitCentral today: Now the EU has declared Chequers unworkable, a Free Trade Plus deal is the only realistic option …as one of the new plan’s authors urges ministers to eye the real ‘Brexit prize’ Author of the IEA report Shanker Singham warned negotiations have been approached from the “wrong end of the telescope” and said his new Brexit plan seeks a free trade agreement for goods. Mr Singham referenced Prime Minister Theresa May comments about a “Brexit prize” during her keynote Lancaster House speech, adding: “What is that prize? I think that prize is entirely to be found in your independent trade and regulatory policy. It is nowhere else. If you don’t have an independent trade and regulatory policy as you leave the EU, then this is only a damage limitation exercise. This can only be a bad result.” – Express > On BrexitCentral’s YouTube channel: Shanker Singham discusses Plan A+ on Sky News Shanker Singham discusses Plan A+ on Radio 4’s Today programme Cabinet gives Theresa May’s troubled Chequers plan two weeks to make progress… Brexiteers claimed Mrs May would be ambushed with an ultimatum to switch to asking for a Canada-style free trade deal. But every minister stayed silent during her update on how EU leaders ripped up her softer plan in front of her at the Austrian summit. There was no appetite to “throw the PM under the bus” just six days before the start of the Tories’ annual conference, Cabinet sources said. Instead, the revolt will take place at the first Cabinet meeting afterwards — if Brussels still hasn’t ceded significant ground. One Cabinet minister told The Sun: “There was a feeling that the PM did well on Friday with her No10 statement on Brexit, and she has earned some breathing space. But we are still left with the fact that the EU has said no to Chequers, and that is a problem that is not going to go away. So we will have to move on from Chequers if there is no movement from Barnier in two weeks.” – The Sun …as the Prime Minister tells them to ‘hold your nerve’ on Brexit… Theresa May has faced down cabinet critics of her Chequers plan and won backing from ministers to sell it to next week’s Conservative Party conference. The prime minister also secured cabinet agreement yesterday for a new immigration system after Brexit despite objections from Philip Hammond, the chancellor, on how the change should be managed. A threatened rebellion from Brexiteer ministers demanding that Mrs May seek a looser, Canada-style deal with the EU failed to materialise after she told colleagues to hold their nerve in the face of opposition from Brussels. Sajid Javid, the home secretary, presented the details of a new “global” immigration system at yesterday’s meeting alongside Alan Manning, chairman of the Migration Advisory Committee. – The Times (£) ‘Hold your nerve!’ May talks tough as Verhofstadt arrives for EU showdown – Express …while they agree not to give EU migrants preferential treatment post-Brexit EU migrants will not be given preferential treatment after Brexit and the number coming to the UK will fall significantly under Government plans. Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, on Monday unveiled plans at Cabinet for a crackdown on the number of low-skilled migrants coming to the UK after Britain leaves the EU. The Cabinet reached a consensus on the plans despite objections from Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, and Greg Clarke, the Business Secretary. It came as the Prime Minister refused to allow any debate over calls by Cabinet ministers for her to consider a Canada-style trade deal with the EU following the outright rejection of her Chequers plan. – Telegraph (£) Theresa May’s cabinet backs post-Brexit visa system based on skills and wealth of migrants – but with no preferential access for EU nationals – Daily Mail Ministers back May’s plan to end preferential treatment for EU citizens after Brexit – Express Labour ready to oppose any Brexit agreement May presents to MPs… Labour signalled last night that it would attempt to vote down any Brexit deal Theresa May negotiated with the EU despite fears it could lead to a rebellion among its own MPs. In a speech to the party’s conference today the shadow Brexit secretary, Sir Keir Starmer, will say that it is “increasingly likely” that Labour will oppose whatever deal emerges from Brussels. Privately senior Labour figures believe that it will be impossible for Jeremy Corbyn to carry all of his party with him, with one MP predicting that up to 30 MPs could defy the whip and vote with the government. – The Times (£) …as the party leadership is accused of ‘betrayal’ after appearing to rule out Remain option in any second EU referendum… The Labour leadership has been accused of “betrayal” after appearing to rule out putting the option to stay in the European Union on a second referendum ballot. While the majority of Labour members back a “people’s vote”, senior party figures have taken opposing views over what it should look like. On Monday John McDonnell, the shadow Chancellor, said: “If we are going to respect the last referendum, it will be about the deal; it will be a negotiation on the deal.” His words appeared to be at odds with the motion the party decided to put to Labour conference delegates today [Tuesday]. It does not rule out the option of staying in the EU being on the ballot. – Telegraph (£) …yet Sir Keir Starmer maintains a new referendum could include the option to Remain Labour’s Brexit spokesman Sir Keir Starmer has said his party’s new approach to a fresh referendum does not rule out an option to stay in the EU. Sir Keir told The Independent the motion agreed with delegates that will be voted on Tuesday, could allow a new referendum with ‘Remain’ on the ballot paper. The comments fly in the face of others made by shadow chancellor John McDonnell and Unite leader Len McCluskey who had said they believed the best approach to any new referendum would exclude an option to remain in the bloc. – Independent Labour split over inclusion of Remain option in second Brexit referendum – The Times (£) The inside story of the meeting that decided Labour’s Brexit policy – Independent Labour Leaver blasts ‘arrogant’ EU after Salzburg brush-off Labour MP Graham Stringer launched a scathing attack on the “undemocratic and corrupt” European Union after EU leaders admitted they want the UK to have a second Brexit vote after brushing off British plans for a withdrawal deal. The Labour Brexiteer did not mince his words as he delivered a harsh takedown of the European Union after the bloc shot down Britain’s proposals for an orderly Brexit. Theresa May attended a crucial meeting with the leaders of the EU27 in Salzburg last week but her Chequers plan was brutally rejected as a threat to the single marker. Commenting on the EU’s behaviour during the 2018 Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Mr Stringer told Express.co.uk: “I think everything since the referendum in 2016 has validated what those others who believe the United Kingdom should leave the EU have been saying. – Express Latest DExEU documents reveal potential no-deal Brexit consequences New documents have laid bare the “deeply unsettling” possible consequences of a no-deal Brexit, suggesting there could be chaos at ports, disruption to food supplies and increased business costs. Government departments released a tranche of 24 technical papers today advising businesses and consumers of the potential impacts of the UK withdrawing from the EU without an agreement. There are 86 agricultural, food and drink products protected under Europe’s “geographical indication” schemes, from Stilton blue cheese and Cornish clotted cream to Welsh lamb. The Government said it anticipates that all the current UK products will continue to be protected. – Yorkshire Post Two thirds of Brexit voters just want to leave the EU and don’t care how, research reveals Two thirds of Brexit voters just want to leave the EU and don’t care how, a new poll has found. The 2,000 strong survey, by pollsters ORB, found 66% who backed Leave at the referendum said they are “not interested in the details and just want those responsible to get on with it”. The same impatience was shared by 52% of all voters, but only 37% of Remainers who do want to pick over the exit plan. Four in five of all – 82% – also say they are “fed up with some pro-Brexit and some pro-Remain politicians claiming they speak for everyone who voted in the referendum”. – The Sun Brussels hands Britain £2.4 billion bill for unpaid VAT in fresh blow to Theresa May’s Chequers plan Brussels has demanded that Britain pay billions of pounds in duties over an alleged customs fraud that further discredits Theresa May’s beleaguered Chequers plan for Brexit. The European Commission announced on Monday that the UK had two months to pay £2.4 billion, plus interest, in unpaid VAT on cheap Chinese clothes and shoes or face huge daily fines at the EU’s top court. The final warning before the UK is referred to the European Court of Justice was issued days after EU-27 leaders issued a humiliating rejection of the hard-won Chequers plan at an EU summit in Salzburg on Thursday. – Telegraph (£) Brussels sends customs warning to Britain over €2.7bn budget shortfall – Express May to meet Donald Trump in New York today to discuss Brexit and trade Prime Minister Theresa May will discuss Brexit and a bilateral trade deal with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, amid increasing uncertainty over Britain’s EU exit plans. “She will be discussing a post-Brexit trade deal amongst a range of subjects also including chemical weapons and foreign affairs,” a senior UK official said on Monday. “When they meet they often discuss Brexit negotiations and they both have a strong commitment to securing a strong UK-U.S. free trade agreement once we’ve left (the European Union).” A trade deal with the United States is seen as an important way to help offset the economic impact of leaving the EU in March next year. May’s government has long touted the freedom to strike such deals independently of the EU as the main economic benefit of Brexit. – Reuters Janet Daley: The IEA has provided a workable alternative to Chequers – now the Prime Minister must take it It was the most stupendous stroke of good fortune that the Institute of Economic Affairs’ launch of its alternative trade proposal for Brexit happened to come only three days after the Great Salzburg Debacle. Because, as we now know, Salzburg changed everything. Committed Remainers were stunned into silence – or outright conversion. Committed Leavers were confirmed in their conviction. But more important, there could be no further pretence that Chequers was a viable proposition – not even as an opening gambit. So this was the moment for somebody to produce something that looked practical in its detail, optimistic in its outlook, convincing in its expertise and feasible within the time limits. – Janet Daley for the Telegraph (£) Robert Peston: There is no possible compromise between May and her Brexiter MPs There is widespread, fevered speculation that the prime minister will move away from her Chequers plan for a future relationship with the EU at this afternoon’s Cabinet, under intense pressure from her ministerial colleagues. Having now spoken to several ministers, I am clear that she will stand firm on Chequers, and there probably won’t be a concerted and coordinated effort TODAY from the Brexiters in her team – Gove, Fox, Leadsom, Mordaunt and McVey – to shift her towards the kind of free trade proposal preferred by Boris Johnson, David Davis, Jacob Rees-Mogg and the European Research Group. That said, and as I’ve mentioned before, it is becoming harder and harder for Brexity ministers – apart, conspicuously, from Gove – to adhere to collective cabinet responsibility for a Chequers deal they loathe. – Robert Peston for ITV News Tom Harris: Waiting for your Conference to decide on Brexit is not leadership, Mr Corbyn A number of news outlets in recent days have dared to speculate that we have passed peak Corbyn, that his attraction to voters – and even to his loyal following in the Labour Party – is perhaps waning in the face of the political realities of opinion polling and failing to take a clear lead on Brexit. His internal critics should calm down and take a healthy dose of realism themselves: Corbyn isn’t going anywhere this side of a general election (not voluntarily, at least) and there’s a still a lot of love for him in Labour ranks, and a surprising amount of tolerance for him in the wider electorate. – Tom Harris for the Telegraph (£) Paul Mason: I’m now backing a second referendum – Jeremy Corbyn should too Never interrupt the enemy when he is making a mistake,” tweeted Labour’s international trade spokesman, Barry Gardiner, last week, quoting Napoleon. Like most of Labour’s frontbench he had opted not to engage with Theresa May’s post-Salzburg strop, preferring to let the Tories tear themselves apart unmolested. But Napoleon also said that when the enemy is in disarray you should send in the cavalry pronto. With the Tories flailing, it is time for Labour to unleash a two-pronged political offensive: it should give a clear commitment to a Norway-style deal, and promise a second referendum to ratify it if achieved. Though it edged towards this in a composite motion agreed on Sunday night, the position is still frustratingly unclear. Labour’s refusal to cement its desired end state for Brexit was defensible until July. Jeremy Corbyn’s team wants, above all, to bring down Theresa May’s chaotic administration and get an early shot at government. If it achieves that, launching a radical project of growth and social justice, it could change the political atmosphere across the developed world. – Paul Mason for The Guardian Sherelle Jacobs: Politicians shun England’s working-class Brexiteer towns at their peril The deputy Labour leader Tom Watson’s support for a second referendum is brazen. He is, after all, the MP for the thumpingly pro-Leave seat West Bromwich East (“when he can be bothered to visit”, as a local Tory activist put it to me). Perhaps Mr Watson calculates that the government’s calamitous Brexit performance means he can get away with making a mockery of his voters despite his mediocre 7,700 majority. Which hits on a curious paradox. Politics is more combative than it has been in decades. Remainers and Brexiteers spit slogans at each other on loop. – Sherelle Jacobs for the Telegraph (£) Brexit in Brief The IEA’s fighting Brexit plan offers Tories a way out of the Chequers quagmire – Ambrose Evans-Pritchard – Telegraph (£) What is motivating Macron’s self-destructive Brexit position? – Jonathan Miller for The Spectator Let’s go for higher wages, not more cheap labour – John Redwood’s Diary Remainer MPs told to back Brexit or face shock new party – Express ‘Love Corbyn, hate Brexit’: Labour faces split over second referendum – SBS News