Pat McFadden: Why I can't back the PM's dud Brexit deal

The Express and Star readers’ poll shows most readers think the Prime Minister’s deal is a dud, and it’s not hard to see why.

It is a deal that will make the country poorer while turning the United Kingdom from being a rule maker into a rule taker.

Let’s look at the economic impact first. Three different reports over the past week – including one from the Government itself – said every Brexit scenario will make the UK poorer than if we stayed in.

And the estimates are that the Prime Minister’s deal could lead to a loss of income of around £1,000 per person per year over the next decade. That’s a lot of money to ask people to pay.

MORE COVERAGE:

• Your damning Brexit verdict: E&S readers reject Mrs May's deal

• Brexit: The make-or-break week ahead for Theresa May

I have been in politics a long time but I cannot remember a Government saying their plan would make the country poorer but they want to proceed with it anyway.

Some people argue – though it’s not a view I hold – that an economic hit would be worthwhile to get the extra sovereignty Brexit promised.

But the Prime Minister’s deal doesn’t deliver that either. For years we will be obeying EU rules while no longer having any say over them – in other words giving up control rather than taking it back.

And even beyond the transition period the EU has made it clear that our market access will only be as good as our adherence to these rules.

It is humiliating to think of our country with its nosed pressed against the glass while others take the decisions that affect our economy.

We ought to be taking part in the decisions, not waiting outside the room to hear what happened.

This is a proposal that satisfies neither Leavers nor Remainers.

For Leavers it doesn’t deliver the kind of Brexit they wanted to see. And Remainers know it leaves the country worse off than now. That’s why I will vote against it in the Parliamentary vote next week.