Tory MPs order Theresa May not to give in to EU’s Brussels bullies on Brexit
THERESA May has been ordered not to give in to Brussels’ bullies ahead of leaving the EU - by her own MPs.
The PM must show “courage and leadership” in the face of people desperate to undermine the referendum result.
Nearly three dozen Tory MPs have signed a letter to Mrs May demanding she gets tough with counterparts in Brussels.
It comes days after President of the European Council Donald Tusk said the PM has been given a “last call” to explain her Brexit demands.
In the letter - signed by MPs including ex-Ministerial aide Andrea Jenkyns and Simon Clarke - demands are made not to extend the transition period beyond December 2020.
They also state they will not accept any extension to the two-year withdrawal period in March next year.
Tory backbenchers also want no extension to the European Court of Justice’s jurisdiction after the transition period.
They also don’t accept remaining part of a customs union or a deal that stops Ministers from forging new trade deals and no free or preferential movement of people from the EU.
The list of eight demands also includes not accepting “any deal without robust conditionality, linking the £39 billion financial settlement with a satisfactory free trade agreement and any part of the United Kingdom being treated differently from the rest”.
The group state: “Our departure must be absolute. We must not remain entangled with the EU’s institutions if this restricts our ability to exercise our sovereignty as an independent nation.
“Anything less will be a weakening of our democracy. Britain must stand firm.”
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Ms Jenkyns said: “I stand united with over 30 colleagues who are concerned with the direction of the Brexit negotiations.
“We must be clear to those in the Cabinet, and on the back benches, that we will not sit back and allow a small minority to dominate the agenda.
“No one must be allowed to undermine the democratic vote of the people.
"We must get tough with the European Union and demonstrate that we are prepared to walk away.”
Fellow Tory Simon Clarke said: “It’s really important at this crucial time both with Europe and within the Cabinet that any watering down would be unacceptable to my constituents and to me.”
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “We are confident of getting a good deal that works for people and businesses across the UK and securing a bold and bright future for Britain.”
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