Charles Tannock said that he is sceptical about the EU agreeing to accept Prime Minister Theresa May’s so-called ‘Chequers Deal’, which aims to implement an independent trade policy while having the ability to set its own non-EU import tariffs. Instead, he wants the government to push for a Jersey-style customs union where the UK is not a member of the EU but is part of EU customs arrangements.
Speaking to the Daily Express, Mr Tannock said that he did not think Michel Barnier, who is negotiating a deal with the UK on behalf of the EU, would accept the Prime Minister’s latest proposals.
‘I think Barnier made it very clear that the facilitated customs arrangement won’t really fly and requires far too much trust to allow a third country to collect EU tariffs,’ he said. ‘He certainly is not very happy also about fragmenting goods from services within the proposal made under the Chequers plan and the white paper. But it is a good negotiation starting place to be.’
It comes following an article that appeared in the Times last month which stated that, according to an unnamed EU source, the Jersey Model would be an option that the EU would consider.
The same report also claimed that, if the UK adopted the model, the EU may allow the UK to opt out of the Freedom of Movement policy, which allows unrestricted travel and living rights for EU citizens, while retaining membership of the Single Market. In return the EU would like the UK to be bound to replicate all of its environmental, social and customs rules.
Mr Tannock added, however, that he was concerned those opting for a ‘hard Brexit’, who favour a completely independent trade policy, would oppose adopting the Jersey Model.
‘I am hoping that Mrs May perhaps goes towards full customs union – the Jersey Model – and concedes that,’ he said.
‘But, of course, she is against the hardline Brexitremists who, of course, find that is far too much of a concession to the European Union because it would not allow an independent free trade agreement policy of the United Kingdom if she goes for the Jersey Model.’
