Kemi Badenoch has raised further speculation that she is auditioning to take over as Conservative leader and Prime Minister if Rishi Sunak is forced out by appearing to disagree with his proposed new deal with the EU.
The Business and Trade Secretary made it clear in exchanges in the Commons that Brexit “will only work if the UK diverges” from EU rules and regulations.
It comes amid reports that Mr Sunak is planning to ensure that new UK rules do not create a border in the Irish Sea with Northern Ireland which is still in the EU Single Market. This would mean that all of the UK would have to shadow or accept EU regulations.
Downing Street has described the reports as “speculation” but it comes as the Prime Minister is working to get the Stormont Assembly open.
Currently the DUP, the largest Unionist party, refuse to participate because they object to Sunak’s Windsor Framework agreement with the EU which they claim creates a border with the UK.
During business and trade questions in the Commons, Ms Badenoch was challenged on the issue by Brexiteer former cabinet minister Theresa Villiers.
Ms Villiers asked: “Is (Ms Badenoch) in a position to deny a report today that the Government has pledged to introduce a requirement that all future regulatory law change will be screened to ensure that they don’t create extra trade barriers in the Irish Sea?
“Because that could be a significant impediment in the way of divergence from EU laws.”
Ms Badenoch responded: “I can’t, of course, comment on the Northern Ireland political process which is ongoing, and which I am not a participant to.
“However, what I will say is that we retain the ability to diverge. That is clear. And I do agree with her that if we are really to seize the benefits of Brexit we need to find that comparative advantage in our regulations with the EU, otherwise there would be no point.”
She added: “I was the Business Secretary who made sure there was transparency in what we were doing around EU regulations rather than an invisible bonfire, I was the one who ended jurisdiction of the European Court on January 1, and we do have a comprehensive deregulation programme which I am pushing.
“I do understand her concerns, I will speak to colleagues across departments and make sure they are raised at the highest level.”
With the party still struggling in the polls and on course for a record defeat in the general election, this week saw another former cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke break ranks and call for Mr Sunak to resign before it is too late for the Conservatives.
The intervention was privately supported by many Tory MPs and has led to speculation that Mr Sunak could still be forced to quit with Ms Badenoch now the clear favourite to replace him.
The exchanges in the Commons today appeared to reinforce her position, especially as she has had to build bridges again with Brexiteers after watering down the legislation to tear up EU red tape.
One Tory MP said: “Obviously she is thinking about a leadership contest.”
But another added: “It may take a bit more to convince many of us that she is a champion of Brexit.”
