Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the influential Backbench 1922 Committee, addressed the Rutland Biz Club on the UK’s exit from the European Union, at the Falcon Hotel in Uppingham on Friday 19 October.
Sir Graham, Conservative MP for Altrincham and Sale West, is the voice of the Tory backbenches at Westminster and has unparalleled access to Downing Street. He told attendees that the Brexit negations are at a critical point and the situation needs subtle handling. “It’s vitally important that the Government achieves a proper departure from the EU, but this needs to be balanced against the need to make sure that Parliament will accept any agreement that is reached.”
Sir Graham, who calls himself a ‘determined Committed leaver’, believes a compromise is possible as long as it substantially delivers on Britain’s referendum decision. A deal that is 75-80 percent ‘out’ has every prospect of being approved by the UK Parliament. He said: “I have every hope that we will reach a deal.”
He added: “Even if it’s a no deal, the UK will continue to thrive. The UK is a great nation, full of ingenious people and since the 2016 referendum, unemployment has fallen to its lowest level for 40 years with inward investment three times that of any other European country with our growth rate the same as Germany.”
Sir Graham warned attendees that any breakdown in the negotiations could give the keys of No 10 to Jeremy Corbyn. “One of the strange things in British politics is the number of Labour MPs who think that the worst thing that could happen to this country is the election of a Marxist government led by Corbyn. So, these are dangerous times. Both sides on the negotiating table need to really focus on what is in our interests for the future. We all have to be a little bit more sober and realistic over our future relationship with the EU so we can continue to trade and prosper on both sides of the Channel.”
Biz Club Chairman Geoffrey Pointon said: “Once again we have had a political big hitter address the Rutland Biz Club. It’s been fascinating to hear what’s going on behind the scenes at Westminster and to know we have MPs such as Sir Graham who are beating the drum for Brexit.”
The Biz Club meets on the third Friday of each month for a lunch at The Falcon Hotel in Uppingham, with a visiting speaker to encourage enterprise and stimulate dialogue between politicians and business people. For more information visit: https://www.thebizclub.co.uk
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