Thread by @ChrisLeslieUK

If Britain’s leaving the EU, we’ve surely GOT TO know what the replacement trade deal looks like - so we know where we’re heading? Trouble is, this Government’s ‘implementation’ phase is woeful. Putting a plank on the cliff edge doesn’t make the fall easier. #transition #Brexit

Britain really should settle the new trading partnership before ‘exit day’, because leaving without any guarantees expands uncertainty for business & undermines economy. Why are Ministers sanguine about allowing just 6 months to negotiate future relationship? #transition #Brexit

Some hard Brexiteers actively want to dive off the cliff into ‘no deal’. But to see others only now realise that exit in March 2019 inevitably means the UK will be a rule-taker subject to existing EU rules reinforces how little they thought this process through before referendum

Theresa May has duty to prioritise permanent trade deal; you can’t have a ‘bridge’ without concrete destination on other side. The EU naturally expect UK to stick with current rules while this is worked out. If we’re sticking by the rules, we should be still around the table.

Our 40 free trade agreements - covering nearly 15% of our trade – will expire on ‘exit day’ unless EU allow the UK to stay party to these. The promise from @LiamFox of bilateral replacements with “up to 40 ready for one second after midnight in March 2019” has been quietly binned

There’s a better solution: let’s keep our leverage, keep our seat at the table, keep our 40 free trade agreements and not set off across the ‘bridge’ until we’ve an agreed destination. Extending the Article 50 period looks like the pragmatic option the PM should adopt #transition