FACTBOX: Reactions in Britain to new Brexit deal
Reuters, , Thursday 17 Oct 2019


The European Union and the British government have finally clinched a new deal setting the terms of Britain's exit from the bloc.

However, it needs to be approved by the British parliament in order to take effect and Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party does not have a majority in the House of Commons.

Below are reactions from key players in Britain to the new deal, and some comments from business groups and analysts:

ARLENE FOSTER AND NIGEL DODDS, LEADERS OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S DUP PARTY:

"As things stand, we could not support what is being suggested on customs and consent issues and there is a lack of clarity on VAT.

"We will continue to work with the government to try and get a sensible deal that works for Northern Ireland and protects the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom."

JEREMY CORBYN, LEADER OF THE MAIN OPPOSITION LABOUR PARTY:

"This sell-out deal won't bring the country together and should be rejected. The best way to get Brexit sorted is to give the people the final say in a public vote."

He said Labour would not vote for the deal in parliament.

NICOLA STURGEON, LEADER OF THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY:

"The Brexit envisaged by Boris Johnson is one which sees a much looser relationship with the EU when it comes to issues like food standards, environmental protections and workers' rights.

"Scotland did not vote for Brexit in any form, and SNP MPs (lawmakers) will not vote for Brexit in any form."

JO SWINSON, LEADER OF THE PRO-EU LIBERAL DEMOCRATS:

"The fight to stop Brexit is far from over. This Brexit deal would be bad for our economy, bad for our public services and bad for our environment."

NIGEL FARAGE, LEADER OF THE BREXIT PARTY:

"It binds us into so many other commitments on foreign policy, military policy - a list as long as your arm, and I frankly think it should be rejected.

"Would I rather accept a new European treaty that is, frankly, very bad for us, or would I prefer to have an extension, and a general election? I would always go for the latter option. I genuinely believe that a clean break and being able to be competitive is the absolute key to our future economic success. We cannot do that with this new treaty."

IAIN DUNCAN SMITH, SENIOR MP, FORMER CONSERVATIVE LEADER, STRONGLY IN FAVOUR OF BREXIT:

"I am reserving my position on this," he said, adding that he wanted to understand the DUP's position on some of the details before deciding whether to vote for the deal or not.

JEREMY HUNT, SENIOR MP, FORMER RIVAL TO BORIS JOHNSON IN CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP CONTEST:

"Fair play Boris. Many doubted it was possible to do this before Oct. 31st, including me on some occasions, but he has ditched the backstop and brought the deal home. Bravo."

MICHAEL GOVE, CABINET MINISTER, STRONGLY IN FAVOUR OF BREXIT:

Asked what the government would do if parliament voted against the new deal on Saturday: "We don't contemplate defeat. There is a lot in this deal for everyone who wants us to leave in a smooth and orderly fashion."

ADAM MARSHALL, HEAD OF THE BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE:

"Let’s not forget, we’ve been here before. There is still a long way to go before businesses can confidently plan for the future. Companies across the UK and around the world will be paying close attention to what happens next – and whether the deal agreed can secure parliamentary support.

"For business, this deal may be the end of the beginning – but it is far from the beginning of the end of the Brexit process."

JONATHAN GELDART, HEAD OF THE INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS:

"As MPs study the draft deal, they must keep firmly in mind the damage a disorderly exit could cause businesses large and small. A further extension offers no guarantees of avoiding this outcome, but if a passable deal is in touching distance then politicians on all sides should be pragmatic about giving us the time to get there.

"If the immediate choice is between leaving the EU in an orderly versus a disorderly manner, politicians must be mindful of the longer-term consequences their actions may bring to bear."

CONSTANTINE FRASER, POLITICAL ANALYST AT INVESTMENT RESEARCH FIRM TS LOMBARD:

"It’s a better deal for the Tory right than May’s, because it allows for greater future UK-EU divergence (though it doesn’t make it inevitable); it’s worse for the DUP, because NI is essentially semi-detached from the UK for the foreseeable future and quite likely forever. It’s no longer so much a backstop as the default future status for NI.

"The main takeaway is that the Conservative party is now committed to this deal, not no-deal, and will campaign for a majority for it if the coming general election takes place before the UK has left the EU."



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