What is being described as a PR plan for government to "sell" the expected deal after its announcement, has been leaked to the press, although No 10 deny it is the plan (it clearly is) and it might even turn out in the future to be a metaphor for Brexit. The deal is to be sold as 'measured success,' which is a Whitehall euphemism for failure. In other words it is a disaster made up to look like a success. In fact Brexit may eventually enter the lexicon as the go-to word for shambolic failure.
It looks like the work of an over ambitious, pot smoking PR man anxious to ingratiate himself. The memo assumes the deal is an unalloyed triumph for Raab and May. Imagine someone at Selby Town FC writing about their 8-0 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League final at the Nou Camp stadium and you'll get the picture. A few points that stand out for me:
"Government lining up 25 top business voices including Carolyn Fairburn and lots of world leaders eg Japanese PM to tweet support for the deal".
Carolyn Fairburn is head of the CBI by the way but which other world leaders the memo talks about isn't clear. Perhaps Trump, Putin and Kin Jong Un?
"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".
Whoever drafted the memo wants it compared with no deal rather than the status quo. This is a bit like having fallen from a cliff someone telling you how much worse it would have been if you had fallen even further rather that sympathising that you aren't still sunbathing on the grassy hillock fifty feet above.
"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".
Mike Hawes is CEO of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders who is expected to joyfully speak in favour of the destruction of his entire industry - unless that is it includes frictionless trade, which is highly unlikely. This is probably the most wishful thinking of all.
The only thing wrong is that the cabinet did not review the deal yesterday as planned by the leaked "grid" so it's schedule is out anyway, although the papers are reporting this morning that cabinet ministers have been primed to expect another cabinet meeting at short notice this week.
It all seems quite delusional with most of the serious critics of Brexit suddenly coming round as enthusiastic supporters. As for the ERG and the swivel eyed Brexiteers there is not a mention. One might think the EU had totally capitulated and offered us everything we have at present, outside the SM and the CU, but without freedom of movement or paying into EU funds and with an exemption from the ECJ. Plus an exclusive negative tariff rate where they pay us a subsidy on all our exports to the EU.
I really can't imagine Rees-Mogg accepting anything less.
Since it's all been denied, I assume the cabinet office is this morning busily rewriting the whole thing but don't expect anything wildly different. It will be a phenomenal selling job that will ultimately fail miserably. Nobody likes being taken for a fool.
THE LEAKED MEMO
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
