Hardline Brexiters risk sending wrong signal to EU, says Fox
Hardline pro-Brexit MPs risked jeopardising a deal with the European Union because of “ideological purity”, said International Trade Secretary Liam Fox as parliament prepared for a another day of debate and non-binding votes.
Fox was referring to threats from hard right Tories who suggested they rebel against Prime Minister Theresa May over Downing Street's apparent endorsement of an amendment that would rule out a no-deal Brexit.
The minister said opposition could “send the wrong signals” to Brussels.
“There is a tendency still to think that this is some kind of academic and ideological purity exercise. This is about the raw politics of negotiation and this is about sending signals back about continuity and trustworthiness in negotiation,” he told the BBC.
“It is important to understand that we are not an internal debating society in parliament. What we say is looked at and listened to by those that we are negotiating with. They’ll be looking to see whether parliament is showing consistency.”
May's stalled deal will face another meaningful vote on February 27, but Thursday's “next steps” debate will look at what MPs think could be viable alternative options.
The prime minister won approval to seek changes to the contentious Irish backstop using “alternative arrangements”, but so far EU leaders have refused to reopen negotiations.
“Parliament said we don’t want there to be no deal and that we will sign up to the prime minister’s deal if we are able to get changes to the Irish backstop,” Fox said.
“Our European partners will be watching our debate and listening today to see if they get the impression that if they were to make those concessions, parliament would definitely deliver on that agreement.”
Fox said MPs should understand that the public wants us to leave the European Union, but they would prefer us to leave the European Union with a deal”.