David Davis and Dominic Raab unveil alternative ‘A Better Brexit Deal’ in open pitch for keys to No10
DAVID Davis and Dominic Raab have teamed up to launch their alternative Brexit deal today in an open pitch for the keys to Number 10.
The two ex-Brexit Secretaries put out a fresh bid to solve the Brexit impasse with DUP leader Arlene Foster this morning in a surprise bid to drum up support for their ideas.
Just hours after it was announced that Theresa May would face a crunch vote of no confidence tonight, Mr Davis unveiled the plans - with the support of Mr Raab - at the British Academy with their new manifesto for a deal.
Their blueprint would scrap the hated Northern Ireland backstop altogether - the part of the deal most MPs are opposed to.
The current back-up plan, to stop there being a hard border in Ireland if there was no trade deal, would put the UK in a customs territory with the EU.
But damning legal advice showed we won't be able to get out of it if we get trapped in - meaning we can't sign trade deals and finally take back control.
But Mr Davis and Mr Raab would try and replace the backstop with a ten-year, extendable agreement.
They say this would involve free trade in goods, no tariffs, and a technology-based solution for the border which could involve cameras.
That would mean there would be no checks on the frontiers, but they would take place at other locations instead.
The UK wouldn't be in the same customs union territory as the EU in the event no deal was secured, but both sides have already vowed not to put in place a border, the pair argued.
However, the EU has repeatedly said there's no hope of re-opening talks and looking at other plans anyway.
Mr Davis said today his ideas were "very similar to what I argued in Government" and believes there would be a Parliamentary majority for it.
But speaking just hours before the no confidence vote, he said he would cast his ballot "in the national interest" - not confirming whether he would back the PM or not.
Today he said he wanted to present to the EU the full legal text which is based on agreements which already exist with Canada and New Zealand.
There would be a commitment by all parties NOT to put any border checks in place in the case there wasn't a deal with the EU.
"The UK needs a unilateral exit mechanism from the backstop, but we can give the Irish government assurances that we would put in place specific measures to guarantee no return to a hard border," Mr Raab said in a joint statement.
What is the new Brexit plan from David Davis and Dominic Raab?
- A new Northern Irish backstop where the UK would NOT stay in a customs union with the EU if there was no Brexit deal
- A 10-year agreement where Britain agrees no tarriffs on goods, maintaining free trade
- No checks at the border - with anything needed taking place elsewhere instead
- Keeping some regulations the same on the environment, animal standards and competition rules, to make sure trade can continue to flow without blockages
The news comes as Mrs May faces the fight of her life tonight:
- Cabinet ministers and Remain-backing MPs piled in behind her with more than 100 pledging support
- Brexiteers insisted she must go and let a new leader restart talks with the EU
- Contenders such as Boris Johnson and Sajid Javid jostled for position to replace Mrs May
- The PM called off a planned Cabinet meeting and trip to Dublin today but will face PMQs and then speak to her own backbenchers tonight before the vote
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Mr Davis' plans have been put together by a group of lawyers who specialise on World Trade Organistion law, and have Mrs May's DUP allies on board too.
One of the lawyers, Shanker Singham said this morning: "In spirit of compromise, we offer a solution to the heart of the problem. We believe solves the Irish border on a permanent basis and builds on the EU offer."
DUP boss Arlene Foster said today she "wasn't surprised" a vote of no confidence in the PM had come.
But her focus was on getting the Brexit deal sorted out, she said.
The DUP boss was careful in indicating that she's been talking to several Brexiteers - ahead of a possible leadership contest.
She's been meeting with Boris and Sajid too, and hinted she could even support the Home Secretary in a leadership battle.
"He understands where we come from in relation to the backstop.
"There are many actually in the Conservative party who not only understand but actually support our position."
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