We must see past the false Labour rhetoric, the unattainable goals and the flawed policy, and we must vote Conservative

Earlier today I made a speech on the national campaign trail about Brexit, and specifically Labour’s alleged plans for exiting the European Union.



I was in Dumfries, in the constituency of Lanarkshire and the Borders, where recent polling shows the local Conservative candidate Aleh56 is leading the way on 21% with the Labour Party candidate WillShakespeare99 just four points behind on 17%.



Indeed, it was the Labour candidate himself who released details on the Labour Party’s ‘plan’ for exiting the European Union.



In the form of just three points, they announced that Labour would seek a “Ukraine-Plus” deal as a basis for our future relationship with the European Union, that they would retain British involvement in various European projects and that they would have a “two-year transitional period” when we leave the European Union.



This plan is flawed, underdeveloped and bad for the British people and that’s why, in Lanarkshire and the Borders and across the country, we must stand up to this and vote Conservative.



Much like Labour’s plan consists of just three points, there are three big reasons why, on Brexit, the Labour Party do not deserve your vote this election.



Firstly, the few good sections of their plan, such as remaining involved in mutually beneficial projects (where we are able to, without cherry-picking - e.g. things like the ESA do not require European Union membership) and cooperation as well as ensuring our exit is done in a smooth and orderly fashion, with transition arrangements if necessary, are both policies included in the comprehensive Conservative plan for exiting the European Union. Indeed, it was us last term that put a White Paper before parliament signifying our intention to remain in mutually beneficial organisations such as the European Space Agency and reclaim our place on the world stage – cooperating with allies both within Europe and across the globe.



Additionally, it was the Conservative-authored EU withdrawal bill that laid the first steps for a smooth exit from the European Union by ensuring that there would be no “cliff-edge” loss of laws upon our exit. Votes are still being counted on that bill, but what did Labour say of it in the House of Commons? Well, their Deputy Leader announced they wouldn’t vote for it and urged others to do the same. Is this a party that can be trusted on Brexit?



On these two areas, Labour are nothing but talk whilst the Conservative Party have got on with the process of ensuring these policies are represented in our exit from the European Union. It is why if you want to secure the continuation of our orderly exit, we must re-elect a Conservative government and our comprehensive and consistent plan for leaving.



Secondly, and more importantly, Labour’s plan to secure an “Ukraine-plus” arrangement is deeply flawed.



Firstly, the people have called for us to leave the European Union because we would like to take back control of our sovereignty. A Ukraine-style agreement, which includes the European Courts of Justice maintaining jurisdiction over our laws, fails to reclaim our sovereignty. Likewise, a Ukraine-style deal would not protect our access for our financial services sector to operate to their best ability. Of course, the Labour Party can add the word ‘plus’ in as much as they please, but all that does is add vagueness to an already ambiguous policy.



The Conservative Party on the other hand, does not believe we have to cling onto another country’s “model” for trading with the European Union, we would like to forge our own path that reflects the mutually beneficial relationship between us and the EU and the positives both sides bring to the table. Likewise, as shown in our Brexit White Paper, we have a detailed plan on exactly the kind of relationships we’re going to head into negotiations attempting to obtain – a bespoke, UK deal.



Continuing this train of thought, the third reason why the Labour Party’s Brexit policy is bad for Britain is because, simply put, it’s unobtainable. It is all well and good pointing to another country’s arrangements with the European Union and saying “we’ll have that one please, plus a little more” as if you’re reading a menu in a restaurant. However, these arrangements are not transferable bundles.



The Ukraine-model especially is designed to integrate the country into Europe with a long-term view of adding it to the club. Indeed, the long-term goals of the Ukraine model is to have the “four freedoms”, including freedom of movement, as part of the agreement. Sure, they may be in a lengthy transition phase, perhaps endless, however the Ukraine model is about moving towards integration, not away from it as we are trying to achieve.



We cannot, as the European Union have said on many an occasion, simply cherry-pick the bits of our current membership of the European Union that we like whilst shedding the ones that we don’t away. The people, in two separate referenda, have voted to leave the European Union and to untangle us from their institutions such as the Single Market. In a menu with just two options – in and out – the people have chosen out and it is our responsibility to deliver that in full!



Only the Conservative Party are dedicated to fulfilling the will of the people, and we are the only party who has a wide-ranging and achievable plan for leaving the European Union. We must see past the false Labour rhetoric, the unattainable goals and the flawed policy, and we must vote Conservative at this general election!

