‘Shock doctrine’ plan to sell Tory Brexit denied by Downing Street

Well, they would, wouldn’t they?

And, as the Cabinet meeting on November 6 has apparently produced no decisions at all – let alone about Brexit – it seems either the leaked communications plan that “everyone’s talking about” (according to Paul Waugh of the Huffington Post) really is the nonsense Downing Street claims… or someone has been forced to make major changes very quickly.

It outlines a “shock doctrine” campaign to push an as-yet-unannounced Brexit deal on MPs and the British public, demanding that we believe there is no alternative, that the Tories have reached “a moment of decisive progress”, that Theresa May has “delivered the referendum”, the deal “brings the country back together”, and “now is the time… to unite behind it for the good of all our futures”.

Keep a careful eye on future Brexit-related government announcements; if they contain any of these phrases, we’ll know the leak was accurate.

Of particular interest should be the alleged plan for November 20 when, according to the leak, the Cabinet Office publishes an explanation of the deal and what it means for the public. The document says this would compare it with No Deal, “but not to our current deal”. Why not? Perhaps because it won’t do all the things listed in bold, above?

The leaked document is reproduced in full, below. Keep it handy, to check against what the Tories do over the next few weeks.

From what I’ve seen today, the scenario doesn’t seem possible:

Without that, there won’t be a Brexit deal.

Keep your eyes and ears open – and don’t let any of the following nonsense pass unchallenged.

Brexit Communications Grid Summary

Cabinet reviews the deal this Tuesday, the 6th November. They expect all the details to then leak.

“A moment of decisive progress” will be announced this Thursday. Raab to announce.

The narrative is going to be measured success, that this is good for everyone, but won’t be all champagne corks popping.

Then there’s recess until 12th.

After the announcement of decisive progress there follows the 10 days of Sherpa meetings with EU 27 and then daily themed announcements.

19th November – “We have delivered on the referendum” PM speaks at the CBI conference.

Saying this deal brings the country back together, now is the time for us all to unite behind it for the good of all our futures etc. She will also hold a business reception.

This is the day both the Withdrawal Agreement and Future Framework will be put to Parliament by way of a statement from Raab who will also do media. Junior ministers are doing regional media all day. Government lining up 25 top business voices including Carolyn Fairburn and lots of world leaders eg Japanese PM to tweet support for the deal.

20th – Theme is Delivering for the Whole of the UK – PM to visit the north and or Scotland and the Commons will debate in business motions the date of the Meaningful Vote.

PM will be back in the house to vote. The Cabinet Office publishes its explainer of the deal and what it means for the public, comparing it to No Deal, but not to our current deal.

Other business leaders to come out and back it eg Adam Marshall from Chambers of Commerce and supportive voices in devolved regions like Andy Street and Andy Burnham. Also hoping to get 3rd Sector voices out supporting it.

21st – Theme is Economy, Jobs, Customs. Philip Hammond to open debate in Commons and Raab to close it. Institute of Directors to speak out.

Hoping for Stephen Martin, Martin McTeague etc

22nd – Theme is immigration – take back control of our borders. Home Sec doing media and visits. Raab on QT in the West mids.

Hope Mike Hawes of SMMT will speak out in favour along with influential voices from the rest of the world saying how great this is for the flow of global talent.

23rd – Theme is money – NHS funding and structural funds. Matt Hancock hospital visit. David Everett to welcome the deal alongside Tech for UK.

24th Theme is Northern Ireland and The Union – no hard border in the UK and the integrity of the Union is protected. PM visits border communities and business in NI and maybe also to Wales to visit agri and export businesses. Karen Bradley doing media.

Trying to get Varadker to support and Anand Menon and Henry Newman too.

25th – Theme is global Britain. We can strike trade deals with RoW (rest of world) security in this one too.

Speech from Liam Fox. Jeremy Hunt on Marr. Hope Miles Celic to come out in support (City UK).

Lining up lots of former foreign secs to come out in support and Mark Littlewood of the IEA.

26th – theme is taking back control of our laws, Raab doing media. PM interview with Dimbleby.

27th – morning theme is agri and fisheries. Gove doing a visit and media.

Evening is the vote. HISTORIC MOMENT, PUT YOUR OWN INTERESTS ASIDE, PUT THE COUNTRY’S INTERESTS FIRST AND BACK THIS DEAL.

AFTERTHOUGHT: Downing Street’s denial has attracted debate. Here are just a few comments:

https://twitter.com/ToryFibs/status/1059890103915503616

What do you think?

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2 Comments

  1. nmac064 November 7, 2018 at 10:04 am - Reply

    Anything this nasty Tory government does relating to Brexit has only one aim, to keep the nasty Tory Party from splitting asunder. These evil people care nothing at all for anything else, or anyone else, at all. It began as an internal Tory Party quarrel and it remains just that today.

  2. Jo Armstrong November 7, 2018 at 11:28 am - Reply

    They have to leave before the year’s end or be affected retrospectively by the EU Anti- Tax Avoidance Law.

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