Ex-Chancellor George Osborne blasts Theresa May for failing to protect economy ahead of ‘bitter’ Brexit talks
Mr Osborne accused the Prime Minister of putting too much focus on immigration in the run up to the UK's divorce from the EU
GEORGE Osborne attacked Theresa May’s Brexit gameplan yesterday accusing her of failing to prioritise the economy in the upcoming negotiations.
But the ex-Chancellor vowed to join the “fight” as he predicted “bitter” talks ahead and a “lively debate” in Parliament on the burning issues.
Speaking during yesterday’s historic debate, Mr Osborne said the PM had chosen to put immigration top of her agenda during talks.
And he hinted he may join forces with Tory rebels next week to try and force the PM to give Parliament the final say on whether to walk away from any EU deal.
He said the Government had decided “not to make the economy the priority in this negotiation, they have prioritised immigration control”.
And he insisted Brexit negotiations will be a “trade off, as all divorces are, between access and money” as the UK extracts itself from the EU.
But – despite jetting off across the globe earning more than £600,000 giving speeches and taking on a lucrative job with an investment giant – he suggested he’d be staying on the backbenches.
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He said: “I will be in those fights in the couple of years ahead.”
He went on: “There was a mandate to leave the EU.
“But that was the only question that was asked of the British people.
“Indeed those questions are now entrusted to us as we approach these negotiations.”
A Downing Street spokeswoman said yesterday: “The former Chancellor speaks for himself”.