Brexit deal edging closer, claims Gove
Michael Gove said he expects to see a fresh Brexit deal edge closer this week, claiming progress was being made in behind-the-scenes talks with the EU.
The Cabinet Office minister said there were "promising signs" that Boris Johnson was in position to strike a new deal to bring back to Parliament next month for a vote ahead of the scheduled leave date of October 31.
Mr Gove, who is in charge of no-deal planning for the Government, was in the West Midlands as a guest of Mayor Andy Street for a meeting with manufacturing business leaders at Coventry's National Automotive Innovation Centre.
Speaking to the E&S, he conceded that in public the EU had appeared reluctant to countenance a new Brexit deal, but added: "There have been some promising signs. In private conversations, progress is being made.
"I'm hopeful that this week we will see more progress and that we will be able to secure a deal."
During the meeting, Mr Gove told business leaders from industries including automotive and aerospace that the Government was "straining every sinew" to get a good Brexit deal.
He said he was determined to ensure that firms were resilient if there was a no deal Brexit, saying: "I know that we can reduce the risk in some areas.
"We can make it easier for goods to flow across the border, but there are still one or two things that we can't change, such as the EU introducing tariffs on some of our goods.
"But we can cope. Even if we leave without a deal on October 31 we will still carry on talking to the EU, because we will all want a deal sooner rather than later."
Mr Gove also called on West Midlands MPs from all parties to "honour and respect" the result of the referendum by backing a new Brexit deal, saying: "I'm worried about the impact on our democracy if we don't do what the people instructed.
"To get a good deal will need MPs of all parties to get behind it."
Mr Street said a key concern among businesses was the damage that Brexit uncertainty was causing.
"It is really clear that any prolonged uncertainty will be very damaging for businesses of all types," he said. "The Government is trying to bring the issue to a head and find a constructive way forward."
