Exclusive: ERG pulls back from publishing Brexit plans
The pro-Brexit group of MPs the European Research Group has decided to pull back from publishing the first of its series of alternative proposals this weekend, Morning Wire has learned.
It had been widely reported that the ERG's alternative to Theresa May's Chequers proposal was to be drip fed throughout the month, starting on Sunday, with papers themed around issues including the Irish backstop and future trading relationship issues such as fishing.
The idea was to build steam around the "Chuck Chequers" campaign in the run up to Conservative party conference in Birmingham early next month, where former foreign secretary Boris Johnson is said to be planning a 1000-person rally.
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It was hoped the papers would end naysayers including Downing Street, who argue that the Brexiters have no credible alternative to the Prime Minister's approach.
However sources told Morning Wire the ERG had decided to delay publication initially. It is thought one paper could still be published next week, but there had been a "rain check" on the pressure-tactics, understood to still be evolving in what is a fast-moving environment.
"We don't want to help Number 10 while they are making mistakes," one insider said.
But another source indicated there might be other reasons for the change of tactic, telling Morning Wire it was thought the plan – which had originally been earmarked for publication in a single push – was "a bit lightweight".
That is particularly the case when compared with a weighty parallel document being readied by a team of trade experts and backed by former Brexit secretary David Davis.