Thread by @CER_EU

Standing room only for the @CER_EU fringe event at the Conservative Party conference - "What route out of the Brexit maze?" with @cbicarolyn @RichardGrahamUK &
@GregHandsMP, chaired by @CER_Grant

@cbicarolyn @RichardGrahamUK @CER_Grant Very doubtful the UK govt proposes customs checks on the island of Ireland, either on the border or behind it - best route is to use alternative arrangements, @GregHands tells @CER_EU fringe at Conservative Party conference

@cbicarolyn @RichardGrahamUK @CER_Grant @GregHands Alternative Arrangements does not require new technology, everything is in operation somewhere around the world – recognise there will be costs involved, but they are not huge/manageable, @GregHands tells @CER_EU fringe

@cbicarolyn @RichardGrahamUK @CER_Grant @GregHands It’s not that there isn’t a way out of the Brexit maze, it’s that politicians haven’t chosen one yet – there’s enormous frustration - the impact of Brexit is being felt right now by businesses, @cbicarolyn tells @CER_EU fringe

@cbicarolyn @RichardGrahamUK @CER_Grant @GregHands It is not going to possible to protect our economy from a no-deal Brexit - the way out is to find a deal – there has to be compromise on all sides – we’re really running out of time, @cbicarolyn tells @CER_EU fringe

@cbicarolyn @RichardGrahamUK @CER_Grant @GregHands There have been lots of positive announceents at the Conservative conference –on digital, buses, infrastructure- but need a healthy strong ecoomy to pay for it - I couldn’t stress any more the urgency of getting a Brexit deal, @cbicarolyn tells @CER_EU fringe

@cbicarolyn @RichardGrahamUK @CER_Grant @GregHands Creation of @DExEUgov was a big mistake – that meant the government's negotiation was subject to an audit from a select committee - the results should be audited not the negotiation along the way,
@RichardGrahamUK tells @CER_EU fringe

@cbicarolyn @RichardGrahamUK @CER_Grant @GregHands @DExEUgov There won’t be a Brexit deal this month – the EU wants rid of the British problem, but not by throwing the Irish under a bus, @CER_Grant tells @CER_EU fringe

@cbicarolyn @RichardGrahamUK @CER_Grant @GregHands @DExEUgov There are two types of MPs against no-deal Brexit – those who voted remain but believe referendum should be upheld, and those that say they’re against no-deal but actually want to remain in EU - MPs should have a vote on the deal - @RichardGrahamUK tells @CER_EU fringe

@cbicarolyn @RichardGrahamUK @CER_Grant @GregHands @DExEUgov If a no-deal Brexit looks likely, @CBItweets members would prefer an extension (reluctantly because it involves costs) – but we should be in no doubt that those that suffer most under no-deal would be the most vulnerable - @cbicarolyn tells @CER_EU fringe

@cbicarolyn @RichardGrahamUK @CER_Grant @GregHands @DExEUgov @CBItweets If there was a secret ballot on Brexit we would have already done the job already - there are lots of people who genuinely believe in leaving the EU, but doing it sensibly – they need to be "love bombed", whatever party they are in, @RichardGrahamUK tells @CER_EU fringe

@cbicarolyn @RichardGrahamUK @CER_Grant @GregHands @DExEUgov @CBItweets Thank you @cbicarolyn @RichardGrahamUK & @GregHands for excellent discussion at CER Tory conference fringe “What route out of the Brexit maze?” and thanks to everybody who came to listen/participate. Recording of the event will be available on cer.eu on Wednesday