Chancellor tells EU that Britain won’t ‘slink off like a wounded animal’ if no trade agreement is struck during article 50 talks

Philip Hammond has sent a warning to Britain’s European partners that Britain will “fight back” and not “slink off like a wounded animal” if it does not get the Brexit deal it wants.

In combative language ahead of triggering the article 50 negotiations on terms of withdrawal, the chancellor said Britain would “do whatever we need to do” to be competitive in the event of leaving the EU without a trade agreement.



The use of such language flies in the face of calls from Sir John Major to tone down anti-EU rhetoric before negotiations begin.

A budget in the shadow of Brexit leaves Hammond short of choices Read more

In an interview on the the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, Hammond said: “If there is anybody in the European Union who thinks that if we don’t do a deal with the European Union, if we don’t continue to work closely together, Britain will simply slink off as a wounded animal, that is not going to happen.

“British people have a great fighting spirit and we will fight back. We will forge new trade deals around the world. We will build our business globally.

“We will go on from strength to strength and we will do whatever we need to do to make the British economy competitive.”

Former prime minister Major said last week that Theresa May’s government must avoid souring the article 50 negotiations with “cheap rhetoric” and give voters an honest warning about the risks of Brexit.

Hammond went on to confirm that the government is prepared to cut business taxes to attract investment away from the EU – a move that is widely seen as leading to further public sector cuts.

He told Marr: “We are going into a negotiation. We expect to be able to achieve a comprehensive free trade deal with our European Union partners, but they should know that the alternative isn’t Britain just slinking away into a corner.”

The comments came after a Lords report stated that Britain could legally walk away from the EU without paying a penny if there is no trade deal.

The chancellor made some conciliatory comments, and indicated the UK would pay any Brexit bills it owed to the EU.



“We are a nation which abides by its international obligations. We always have done, we always will do, and everybody can be confident about that,” he said.

Hammond indicated he would take a cautious approach in Wednesday’s budget.

A report in the Sunday Times claimed the budget would be used to build up £60bn in case of turbulence as the UK withdraws from the EU.

Hammond said he saw his role as ensuring “that we have got reserves in the tank, so as we embark on the journey that we will be taking over the next couple of years, we are confident that we have got enough gas in the tank to see us through that journey”.



Asked about a report in the Sun on Sunday that the chancellor was set to provide more than £1bn for social care in the budget, Hammond said: “I recognise in particular that social care, and local authorities delivering social care are under some pressure. This isn’t just about money. We should remember there are many authorities managing extremely well.”



The chancellor rejected calls from Labour’s John McDonnell for him to publish his tax returns.

“No. I have no intention of doing so. Just for the record my tax affairs are all perfectly regular and up to date. But I think this demonstration politics isn’t helping the atmosphere in British politics.”



