JD Wetherspoon prints 500,000 beer mats promoting no-deal Brexit
JD Wetherspoon has printed 500,000 new Brexit beer mats promoting a no-deal exit, which will be distributed in 875 of its UK pubs.
The mats, signed by chairman Tim Martin, argue that a no-deal Brexit would allow the government to abolish import tariffs leading to a reduction in prices for the consumer.
JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said: "The beer mat points out that the vast majority of the public strongly objects to the crazy government plan to pay £39b to Brussels, with nothing in return.
"Lawyers have repeatedly said that there is no legal obligation to pay.
"That's £600 for every man, woman and child in the UK or £60m per MP to spend on their constituents. We are calling on the government not to pay the money.
"The message on the beer mat also makes it clear, that from our viewpoint, the government should also choose free trade [a no-deal exit], on leaving the EU on 29 March 2019, by ending the taxes or ‘tariffs' which the EU imposes on more than 12,000 non-EU imports.
"Under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, EU imports would also be tariff-free in this case.
"Ending tariffs means lower prices in shops and pubs."
The prospect of a no-deal exit, described by international trade secretary Liam Fox as more likely than an agreement, has prompted fears of import delays requiring the stockpiling of food and medicines.
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