Over 60 MPs step up demands for ‘hard Brexit’ and savage EU for adding £500 to household bills

THE EU was last night savaged for adding £500 to household food and clothing bills as over 60 Tory MPs stepped up demands for a ‘Hard Brexit’.

In a scathing letter to European Parliament chiefs, the hard-line Tories claim the EU’s protectionist policies and tariffs on imports are “denying” cheaper products to customers.

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The extraordinary blast came as Tories laid into EU leaders for banning Theresa May from an end-of-year dinner at this Thursday’s EU Council meeting in Brussels.

And No.10 accepted the snub despite a plea just two months ago for the UK to remain at the top table at all times.

In the letter signed by the 60 MPs, Tory backbencher Suella Fernandes tells European Parliament chief Martin Schulz that Brexit Britain has to leave the single market and customs union as the EU “has not served the best interests of the UK”.

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She slams the EU for failing to strike free-trade agreements with India, Brazil, the USA and China.
Ms Fernandes insists the EU has been too focused on good and agriculture rather than new industries and the “economies of the future”.

And she says tariffs on goods from outside the EU   are clobbering Brits and European consumers in the pocket.

She adds that the tariffs are preventing Africa from “lifting itself out of poverty” by penalising their exporters.

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The EU currently charges a 7.5 per cent tariff on roasted coffee imports into the single market, and 30 per cent on processed cocoa such as chocolate bars.

Ms Fernandes asks Mr Schulz: “Do you agree that these tariffs stop African countries accessing the EU market on a level playing field?

“There is no incentive for African countries to invest in vitally needed industrialisation, like agricultural processing, packaging and distribution.

“This is exactly the kind of investment Africa requires in order to lift itself out of poverty towards self-sufficiency.”

The Brexit campaigners argue that liberalising the market for food and clothing could save Brits around £500 a year on the goods.

But Ms Fernandes insists the overall opportunities and – savings – are considerably higher.

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She tells Mr Schulz: “We fear that if the EU continues with its protectionist trade, growth will continue to stall in the EU, harming business and jobs.

“We hope that you will join us in a new era promoting free trade internationally in order to improve our respective economies and those of our trading partners.”

The blast comes as Theresa May prepares for another crunch showdown with EU leaders on Thursday – where Brexit is to be discussed by other member states over a working dinner in Brussels.

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The Prime Minister has been told she cannot attend the evening talks.

No.10 yesterday accepted the exclusion despite Theresa May previously insisting Britain should be allowed to play a full role in the EU until it formally leaves.

Ms Fernandes said: “Our Prime Minister is working tremendously hard with the EU to secure the best deal for the UK.

“This negotiation requires both sides to engage positively and so it is unhelpful and discourteous that our PM is being kept out of such a meeting.”