COLUMN: MP Ian Liddell-Grainger reflects on tumultuous week for Brexit

MY mailbag has overflowed since the Cabinet meeting at Chequers and the White Paper that followed.

The Prime Minister insists her plan will secure a smooth and orderly exit from the EU.

But the proposals stick in Boris Johnson’s throat, David Davis has also resigned and several other figures have followed them.

You might be wondering where it is all going to end.
In truth, so am I.

Angela Merkel already approves of Mrs May’s proposals. Michael Barnier, the EU chief negotiator, says a deal is almost done.

With endorsements like that, I fear for the final outcome.

If Brussels chisels away at the small print, and I think that is highly likely, then the red lines the Prime Minister originally laid down may turn wishy-washy pink.

For Brexit to mean Brexit, we must be free of all the financial and legal shackles imposed by Brussels.

The trouble is, the EU has its own red lines and is far from keen to dilute any of them.

So the advantages of being in the single market are only available if we agree to free movement of people across borders and allow the European Court of Justice to set the rules.

Our departure from the European club is now less than a year away.

There is no going back on the decision of the people in the referendum. 

The Prime Minister is bravely trying to find a compromise. Resignations from her government should not be considered personal snubs - she is held in high regard by her party - but the future of our nation is surely a decision of conscience.

Unfortunately, nobody can be sure which route is the best.
For that very reason, I believe we all need to consider every possible alternative - even plans that have been rejected in the past now need dusting down.
Fresh eyes are required. Open minds too.

Before we joined the Common Market, we were members of the European Free Trade Area (EFTA). It is still very much in business. Its members trade freely with EU countries but are not bound by every single petty-fogging rule.

EFTA is also at liberty to make its own trade deals across the world.
There has been a lot of talk in the UK about establishing new global trade deals but no action has been possible while the pointless ping-pong persists in Brussels.

Rejoining EFTA, however, would change that picture very quickly and the EU would have to agree.

It is not a perfect solution. All such clubs come with a rulebook. But it would allow us to get on and do things.

I am particularly keen to forge trading partnerships throughout the British Commonwealth, for example.

There has never been any possibility of a ‘soft’ Brexit. 
Leaving the EU after 44 years is like dismantling a marriage. It was certain to be hard.
But walking away without any kind of settlement would be like abandoning ship without a lifebelt.
We should not do it unless there is no other way.