Dominic Raab has warned MPs they will be unable to stop him carrying out a no-deal Brexit if he wins the Tory leadership race, vowing to be “resolute”.
The hardline Brexiteer sought to outflank Boris Johnson by arguing it would be “very difficult” for the Commons to pass a law to block a no-deal departure on Halloween night – the current deadline.
Giving his first interview since entering the contest, Mr Raab ruled out a further Article 50 delay, vowing: “I will not ask for an extension.”
And he added: “It’s very difficult for parliament now to legislate against a no deal, or in favour of a further extension, unless a resolute prime minister is willing to acquiesce in that – and I would not.”
Shami Chakrabarti, Labour’s shadow attorney general, said: “It will be terrifying for a lot of viewers at home.”
Mr Raab’s comments follow the verdict from the respected Institute for Government that it will be “a near impossible task for MPs to stop a prime minister who is determined to leave the EU without a deal”.
Theresa May’s Brexit deal was blocked when it was put before MPs after the Commons was able to pass a law. But if – as expected – the EU refuses to negotiate new terms with the incoming prime minister, the Commons could be shut out of the process in the countdown to 31 October.
Mr Raab claimed the UK had failed to reach a satisfactory exit agreement with the European Union because Ms May’s negotiating strategy had not been “resolute” enough, taking no deal off the table. “We put ourselves in a much weaker position in terms of getting a deal if you are not willing to walk away from a negotiation – it doesn’t focus the mind of the other side.”
Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme, Mr Raab also:
* Failed to rule out working with Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party, saying: “I always listen to all sides of this debate, from Nigel Farage to others.”
* He said he had “no plans” for an electoral pact with Mr Farage, adding: “That’s not what I would be aiming for. My aim is not to cosy up with other parties.”
* Ruled out an early general election, saying: “We are scheduled for 2022 and I think it’s very important we get Brexit delivered before we go back to the polls.”
* Pledged to cut the basic rate of income tax from 20p to 15p over time and raise the national insurance threshold.
* He denied it would cost £30bn – putting the bill at about £15bn – while saying: “We have got £26bn worth of headroom within our deficit target.”
MPs hopes of blocking a no-deal Brexit may rest on John Bercow allowing amendable motions on emergency debates, allowing a fresh law to be passed.
Alternatively, some pro-EU Tories – including Philip Hammond, the chancellor – have floated toppling their own government by supporting a no-confidence vote.
