Chequers is deeply flawed: a no deal Brexit is far preferable

The Chequers deal is deeply flawed on both economic as well as political grounds - a "no deal" Brexit would be a far preferable solution, argues Ruth Lea. In her opinion, a Chequers-style deal would be economically sub-optimal, tying the UK to the EU's rulebook, but without any influence. On the contrary, in the event of a "no deal" Brexit, trading under the WTO rules could give a major competitiveness boost to the British economy, providing liberalising, outward-looking policies were to be pursued. It is the forward-looking, global option, whereas Chequers would de facto keep us tied to the EU’s relatively slow-growing and saturated markets, she concludes.