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Watch: Sunak makes the case for single market membership

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Tuning into Radio 4 today, Mr S was surprised to hear a well-spoken but unlikely voice making the case for membership of the single market. In his usual polished tones, the Prime Minister told the Today programme that:

Northern Ireland has this very special position where it has access to the UK market, has access to the EU market, which makes it an incredibly attractive place to invest for businesses and that’s sitting there waiting to happen if we can move forward and get the government up and running here.

Rishi Sunak, a Brexiteer, eulogising the benefits of being in the single market? Had Steerpike heard wrong? Apparently not because a few hours later, the Tory leader later made similar comments while touting the deal in Lisburn:

Northern Ireland is in the unbelievably special position, unique position in the entire world, European continent, in having privileged access, not just to the UK home market, which is enormous, the fifth biggest in the world, but also the European Union single market. Nobody else has that. No one. Only you guys, only here… that’s like the world’s most exciting economic zone.

A bit, er, like the rest of the UK had before we left? Good luck to No. 10 in explaining the thinking behind that…

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Steerpike
Written by
Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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