Wed 19 Sep 2018, 11:45 AM | Posted by editor
LETTER FROM Mark Langabeer, Newton Abbot CLP, personal capacity
Panorama ‘s reporter, Nick Robinson, had an in-depth interview with Theresa May.
The programme, entitled Deal or no Deal, asks whether the ‘Chequers plan’ can secure a deal with the EU and get the support of Parliament
The plan, which involve a common rule book on trade with the EU has provoked an open split within the Tory Party. In my view, the aim of May, in agreeing to be interviewed, was to sure up support for the plan among Tory supporters.
The interview even included May and her spouse discussing a quiz show on TV. It included a chat with the President of the EU Commission on the phone. The door was closed when the discussion turned to more weightier matters.
Robinson interviewed leading Tory Brexiteers. Both David Davis and Rees-Mogg regard the plan as a sell-out and there are rumours that around 50 Tory MPs have discussed a leadership challenge.
May is also under pressure from many within big business. The broadcast followed May to a car manufacturing conference who are threatening job losses if parts are delayed in ports .Carney, the Governor of the Bank of England, has warned the Cabinet that house prices will tumble by 30% in the event of a no-deal scenario.
It’s my view, that a deal with the EU is the most likely outcome because a customs union and an open border in Ireland serves the interests of big business. Whether this can be supported in Parliament without splitting the Tory Party is another matter.
Robinson believes that within a matter of weeks, we could witness a political drama of the likes of which we have never seen before. Apart from the time-scale, in my view, he’s not wrong.
The programme also interviewed Kier Starmer, Labour’s spokesperson on Brexit, who stated that the Chequers plan was more about keeping the Tories together and that a no-deal scenario wasn’t viable. In the event of no deal, he would support a second referendum on EU membership.
In my view, only an immediate General Election with Labour carrying out socialist policies, can solve the problems faced by working people, whether in or out of the EU
Labour to power on a Socialist Programme! A socialist Britain in a Socialist Federation of Europe is the only lasting solution to problems facing humanity.
