Tories only care about cutting ‘sweetheart deals’ for big business in the EU negotiation says Labour’s shadow chancellor John McDonnell
He claims the Government wants to advance 'backdoor privatisation' of the NHS
THERESA May wants to create a "Bankers' Brexit" that nobody voted for, Labour’s shadow chancellor John McDonnell is warning.
He is insisting the Tories are only interested in cutting "sweetheart" deals for big business, while ignoring the needs of manufacturers and small firms.
Mr McDonnell claims the Government wants to advance "backdoor privatisation" of the NHS via a Brexit deal similar in scope to the controversial Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) proposed agreement between the EU and US.
"Whether by design or by default, this shambolic Brexit will end up where the Tories always end - looking after the few, not the many,” said the shadow chancellor.
"Already, Tory Cabinet ministers are looking to cook up special deals for their friends in the City of London. They want a ‘Bankers' Brexit’, in the interests of an elite few, not the majority.”
He will tell an audience at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers: "They'll cut a deal for finance, but ignore our small businesses and manufacturers.
"Let me be clear, those who have voted Conservative are not the same as the Tory establishment. Like me, you will have friends who have voted Conservative.
RELATED STORIES:
"They don't want a Bankers' Brexit any more than I do. The simple truth is that the Tory establishment cannot be trusted to make a success of Brexit.
"They want to take control for themselves, not the many.”
He said Theresa May's backing for Heathrow expansion shows she is ready to shift position on major issues.
Mr McDonnell, who has been a long-time anti-Heathrow campaigner, said: "If she is willing to turn her back on her constituents to satisfy the Conservative establishment, then how can we take on blind trust that she will seek a Brexit deal that benefits everyone in our country and not just Tory special interests?"
He insists Labour will organise a "People's Brexit", working with European neighbours to protect key industries like steel, and broker deals with the EU on taxing multinationals like Google.
In response the Chief Secretary to the Treasury said: “All Labour can offer the British people is division and incompetence.
"They don't believe Britain can thrive outside the EU - and after the economic mess they left behind last time, no one should ever trust them again with the economy.”
David Gauke added: “The Conservative Party will deliver the right deal for the whole United Kingdom as we leave the EU and build an economy that works for everyone here at home."