PUB boss Tim Martin has warned the UK Government that securing a “sensible” trade deal with the European Union (EU) is unlikely, declaring that the country should establish deals with member states after the two-year exit process under World Trade Organisation rules - with no import tariffs.
Mr Martin, chairman of JD Wetherspoon and a vocal supporter of Brexit, has also proclaimed the Government should “unilaterally” grant EU immigrants the right to stay in the UK, highlighting the benefit they bring to the economy.
The colourful businessman, whose company has more than 70 pubs in Scotland, has frequently criticised politicians and economists who have argued that Brexit will be bad for the UK economy. He previously argued that Remain supporters based their view on a “semi-religious belief in a new type of political and economic system… which lacks both proper democratic institutions and the basic agreement for a successful currency – a government.”
Now Mr Martin has turned his focus to the Brexit negotiations. He stated yesterday that the UK Government, media and “most” economists are “wrong in believing that a sensible post-Brexit arrangement can be agreed by normal trading negotiations, especially given the attitude of EU representatives in recent months.”
Mr Martin said: “The situation isn’t akin to a house sale with a willing buyer and a willing seller. The post-Brexit EU will comprise 27 countries, all of which have a day in the potential “deal”, making a sensible one unlikely, and making distracting and sapping stalemates inevitable.”
Calling for the UK to pursue relationships with other EU countries under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, after the two-year exit period lapses, Mr Martin argues: “In line with the views of the respected ‘Economists for Free Trade’, who correctly contradicted the apocalyptic views of the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and others regarding the allegedly dire impact of a leave vote, the government should declare its intention to drop tariffs from any countries in the world which export to the UK, including the EU- which is permitted under WTO rules.
“This will dramatically reduce consumer prices in the shops, thereby increasing purchasing power and our general standard of living. Singapore, Hong Kong, Israel and Norway, for example, have dropped almost all tariffs and their economies have raced ahead.”
Mr Martin pulled no punches in criticising those who will be sitting across the negotiating table from Prime Minister Theresa May and her fellow Cabinet ministers, reserving particular ire for European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker. “Those doing the negotiation for the EU are led by grandstanding individuals such as the unelected presidents Junker and Tusk, who represent a chaotic and undemocratic organisation, which has not even had its books audited for over 20 years - and one which finds it almost impossible to agree trade deals with any large economies,” he said. “They also clearly appear intent on making our life difficult. So, in these circumstances, it is best for the UK to proceed on the basis that negotiations are inadvisable and are likely to be counterproductive.”
On the rights of EU citizens to remain in the UK after Brexit, Mr Martin said the UK Government should “unilaterally” give them the right to stay. “Their efforts benefit our economy, we have low unemployment and are also one of the wealthiest countries in the world,” Mr Martin said.
“Immigrants carry out vital jobs in the health service, in the professions and in many others of UK life, as UK voters understand.”
However, he signalled his support for a points-based immigration system similar to those run by Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. “This will mean that future immigration is controlled by the UK Government and is administered on the basis of the economic needs of the country – not on the whim of unelected officials,” Mr Martin said.
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