David Cameron’s declaration that ministers will be able to campaign on the opposite side from him come the EU referendum has prompted much speculation about who will take advantage of this freedom. One of those regarded as being undecided on this matter was the Environment Secretary Liz Truss. She is ideologically close to the Out camp, she founded the Free Enterprise Group of Tory MPs which is now headed by James Cleverly – an Outer – and worked closely with Vote Leave’s Dominic Cummings when she was an Education Minister, but she is also a Cameron loyalist.
Her speech this morning to the Oxford Farming Conference suggests that Truss is strongly leaning towards backing Cameron come the referendum. She said:
‘I fully support the Prime Minister’s renegotiation of our relationship with the EU. I have seen how hard he is fighting to get a better deal for Britain. Of course it is difficult – negotiating with 27 countries will never be easy. But front and centre of our mind is Britain’s economic and national security. Let me give you one example: improving Europe’s competitiveness is a key plank of our reforms, and I can see what it would mean for our farmers and food producers. It would make Europe more flexible, outward-looking and dynamic, and we could see faster progress on a China Free Trade agreement. That will mean our dairy producers no longer paying 15 percent tariffs. And it could make a real difference to companies like Cranswick in Yorkshire, who employ 5,000 people and have contributed to the doubling of our food trade with China over the past 5 years. There is a huge prize at stake and one worth fighting for.’
Now, this goes far further than simple support for the renegotiation. It is also telling that Truss chose to talk about competitiveness, an area where Cameron is almost certain to get his way, than any of the more contentious areas of the renegotiation. However, those close to Truss emphasise that she is still waiting to see what the outcome of the renegotiation is.
Over the next few weeks, there’ll be much speculation about which Cabinet ministers will end up in which camp. The statements of Theresa May will be watched particularly carefully for any sign of where she intends to come down. For if the Home Secretary were to back Out, it could change the dynamics of the whole campaign.
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