Just interviewed the Chancellor of the Exchequer at a Birmingham bus shelter on zero growth, the EU “changing its mind” on a prolonged form of financial services equivalence ... and on the end of frictionless trade. 
NEW:
Chancellor Sajid Javid, asked to confirm that frictionless trade with the EU was “over”:
“Of course, we are not going to have completely frictionless trade because we have left customs union & single market...and that is a deliberate decision...” /2
Chancellor Sajid Javid, asked to confirm that frictionless trade with the EU was “over”:
“Of course, we are not going to have completely frictionless trade because we have left customs union & single market...and that is a deliberate decision...” /2
“...because we have a better future as an independent sovereign nation trading with European friends, but also trading more so with the rest of the world”. /3
Asked how PM would square new trade frictions with election promise to car workers their “supply chains will be protected” with “complete equivalence”, Chancellor: “we’ve been clear there will be some changes but can be done in a way that sector is protected and.. thrives.” /4
Asked if alongside interfering with supply chain and 2035 combustion engine ban, whether the UK Government really wants a car industry, Chancellor responds: “we are very proud of our car industry, its been doing fantastically well, and we’re not going to be complacent”. /5
And on Barnier rejection of Chancellor’s ask of a prolonged form of equivalence for City exports into the EU: “[in WA] there were things EU would reject say you’re not going to have them, only to change their mind later on. This is a negotiation, some of it plays out in public..”
Javid: “I’m focussed on the long term and the private discussions we are having with the EU and based on that - I’m very confident about future that lies ahead”...
