One of the biggest former Conservative donors said he would consider backing the party again if Rishi Sunak softens the government’s approach to a trade deal with the European Union. I can reveal.
Billionaire Guy Hands said a softer Brexit trade deal would be a “good start” and could even help the Tories win the next general election.
Asked if he would support such a deal with Brussels, the head of private equity firm Terra Firma told Capital Partners. I: “Yes, but to achieve the best result for Britain, informed negotiations are needed.”
He added that a free trade agreement with the EU could lead to him backing the Tories again.
“I am happy to support a party that puts the long-term health of Britain ahead of party politics,” Hands said. “Even if a good deal with Europe doesn’t solve all the problems, this would be a good start.”
He added that an agreement like the EU’s with Switzerland or Norway, which would ensure unfettered trade and free movement of British and European citizens through the trading bloc, would bring significant benefits to UK trade.
“We retain control over most of our legal, social and foreign policy decisions while maintaining a bilateral trade agreement with Europe and privileged visitor status when traveling across Europe,” he said.
While such a move could lead to Britain rejoining the single market and giving Britons the right to live and work anywhere in the EU, it would also require the prime minister to exercise his party’s right, as well as the British public’s right to do so. convinced to accept the freedom of migration from all over Europe and the reintroduction of many EU laws on labor and product standards.
Hands acknowledged that Sunak would face significant difficulties in convincing his party to accept closer ties to the EU, but also cited recent polls showing most voters now regret Brexit.
“The Brexit vote should finally decide the European question in the Tory party,” Hands said. “Unfortunately, [David] Cameron expected a different outcome, one that most Britons now regret.
“The vote to leave the EU was the result of a horrendous Remnants campaign. I believe that if those who remain in the Conservative Party can admit their mistakes, and the Brexit supporters in the Conservative Party can admit that Brexit did not go as planned, then Brexit revision can not only be good for this country, but also will give the Tories a chance to unite and win the next election.”
Last weekend Sunday Times the government was reportedly considering a Swiss-style trade deal with the EU, but ministers have since denied that the prime minister sought closer ties to boost trade.
However, some in the government have suggested that a move towards a closer relationship with the bloc could take place within the next 10 years.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said last week that over time the UK will be able to “remove the vast majority of trade barriers between us and the EU”, indicating that a softer Brexit deal is on the government’s agenda.
Mr Hands said this last month. I that, in his view, Rishi Sunak’s first task as prime minister should be to “admit that the public has been lied to” about Brexit and negotiate a new deal with the European Union.
He said: “The first thing you have to do is admit that the Brexit negotiations have been a complete disaster.
“Because the world has changed so much since 2016, they have a great opportunity to change direction and revise a revised Brexit along the lines of Norway or Switzerland.”
Source: I News
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