Sajid Javid: Failing to deliver Brexit could ‘tear the fabric’ of society apart

28 September 2019, 08:34

Sajid Javid said No Deal would be better than No Brexit
Sajid Javid said No Deal would be better than No Brexit. Picture: PA

By Asher McShane

Chancellor Sajid Javid has said that failure to deliver Brexit could ‘tear the fabric’ of British society apart.

Mr Javid said that No Brexit would be a worse outcome than a No Deal Brexit in an interview with the Daily Mail.

He said: “The best way to bring the country back together again and heal things is to deliver on that referendum.

"We can't have this debate going on. We've had the referendum, it was the biggest democratic exercise in the history of our country. And we have to honour it.

Mr Javid said Boris Johnson would press ahead with leaving on October 31, whether a deal had been reached or not
Mr Javid said Boris Johnson would press ahead with leaving on October 31, whether a deal had been reached or not. Picture: PA

"It's a real test of the very fabric of our democracy. Our country, our democracy is a fabric that's been woven together over centuries, and made us what I think is one of the strongest democracies in the world.

"If we don't deal with this and exit on October 31, I just fear we tear that fabric in a way that we might not be able to stitch it up again."

Mr Javid said Boris Johnson would press ahead with the default position of leaving the EU on October 31 whether a deal had been reached or not.

He also said he plans to unveil a £16.6 billion no-deal "guarantee" to make up for lost grants should the UK leave the bloc without an agreement.

He said the sum includes £4.3 billion for the coming year - would cover EU money given to businesses, universities and charities.

He added: "I don't pretend for a second that there won't be challenges.

"There will be some disruptions here because we can't control what the EU do in a No Deal situation? Of course not.

"But we are putting in place many mechanisms and processes to handle No Deal and eventually, I also believe that we will come out and be stronger as a country."

Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay met with chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels on Friday and said the "moment of truth" in brokering a new deal is approaching to see if there is "political will on both sides".

Mr Barclay reiterated opposition to the Irish backstop as Mr Barnier stressed that the Withdrawal Agreement must contain a fully operational solution to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland, the European Commission said.

Additional reporting by PA