THE NEUROLOGIST who stood as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Bromsgrove in the general election has lambasted the Government for rewriting the EU Withdrawal Bill to legally rule out extending the Brexit transition period.
And Dr David Nicholl, who has always maintained it would be impossible for the UK to sort out a trade deal with the European Union in 12 months, has slammed Bromsgrove MP and Chancellor Sajid Javid over the issue.
“Sajid said there would be ‘no cliff edge’ but if you put no-deal back on the table that is exactly what will happen.
“Experts have always maintained that it is going to be impossible to get a deal with the EU by the end of 2020,” he added.
“David Allen Green (commentator on law and policy) has said the public does not appear to be bothered about being lied to but I think they will when it starts impacting negatively on their lives.”
The EU Withdrawal Bill passed its second reading yeaterday meaning it is well on the way to becoming law.
Mr Javid said: “The result last week demonstrated that the Country wants to get Brexit done, so that we can focus on the issues that really make a difference to my constituents’ lives.
“Our manifesto was clear that we will not extend the implementation period. This is therefore an issue of trust, which is why the new Withdrawal Agreement Bill will legally prohibit the government agreeing to any extension.
“The effectiveness with which the PM renegotiated the Withdrawal Agreement demonstrates this government’s determination to ensure that we not only leave the European Union by January 31st, but we also conclude the final details of our future trade relationship by the end of 2020.”
At last Thursday’s general election there was a resounding win for Mr Javid – the biggest majority and biggest share of the vote in the history of the Bromsgrove seat.
He received 6,533 more votes than he did last time around, finishing on 34,409.
Labour’s Rory Shannon was second on 11,302, Dr Nicholl was third on 6,779 and the Green Party’s Kevin White was fourth on 1,783.
