UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Top Conservatives dismiss Kemi Badenoch’s attack on the India trade pact, backing the tax clause as standard and praising the agreement as a Brexit success.
As reported by The Guardian, leading Tory figures have refuted Kemi Badenoch’s comments on the UK-India trade agreement, arguing the exemption for Indian workers from national insurance is standard practice.
What did Tories say about the UK-India trade deal?
Oliver Dowden, ex-deputy prime minister under Rishi Sunak, argued that the UK-India trade deal should be regarded as a Brexit benefit, driving economic progress and reducing the cost of goods from India.
Mr Dowden endorsed the deal, stating on X that it
“builds on significant progress made by the previous Conservative government.”
After over three years of talks, the deal was revealed on Tuesday. It will lower tariffs on multiple products and is projected to contribute £4.8bn annually to the UK economy by 2040.
Shadow Trade Secretary Andrew Griffith initially praised the deal, stating it highlighted the government’s understanding that
“cutting costs and easing burdens on businesses in international trade is beneficial, and that, thanks to Brexit, we have the ability to do so.”
Steve Baker, who handled trade as a Brexit minister under Theresa May, said,
“This deal is great news. It further cements the path that I and others worked so hard to secure… The tax issue will likely turn out to be a red herring. We should be celebrating that a Labour government has furthered free trade in the national interest outside the EU.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg, another prominent Tory Brexiter and former business secretary under Liz Truss, stated,
“Cheaper food and drink, including rice and tea, footwear and clothing, thanks to a welcome trade deal with India. Exactly what Brexit promised.”
What did Robert Jenrick say about the UK-India trade deal?
Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, reversed his initial stance, criticizing the UK-India trade deal.
He argued that the national insurance exemption suggested, “British workers come last in Starmer’s Britain.”
What did Daniel Hannan say about the UK-India trade deal?
Tory peer and former MEP Daniel Hannan claimed that the UK had
“pulled off something that no other country has, at least not on anything like the same scale.”
He dismissed the criticism of the agreement, which focused on tax concerns, migration impacts, and uneven tariff cuts, describing them as “nonsense.”
What did Shanker Singham say about the UK-India trade deal?
Trade economist Shanker Singham, who backed Brexit and previously advised Liam Fox, stated,
“This is a significant achievement for UK trade policy. If the UK can lock in a deal with the US, it will be one of the few countries with deals with the key trade players.”
He retweeted a comment from another expert, highlighting that in 2012, the UK, under a Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition, made a similar deal with Chile. That agreement allowed Chilean seconded workers to avoid UK national insurance contributions for five years – exceeding the three-year exemption in the new India pact.
What did Jonathan Reynolds say in defence of the UK-India trade deal?
Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary, argued that the deal would ultimately generate more tax income for Britain, rejecting concerns about potential losses.
He stated,
“This is not a tangible issue. This is the Conservatives – and Reform – unable to accept that this Labour government has done what they couldn’t do and get this deal across the line.”