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UK should engage ‘Blitz spirit’ for Brexit, says OECD chief Brexit will be 'like the Blitz, except without the bombs', OECD tells UK
(35 minutes later)
Britain should engage its 'Blitz spirit' for the Brexit process and “stay calm and carry on” despite challenges ahead, a leading economist has said.Britain should engage its 'Blitz spirit' for the Brexit process and “stay calm and carry on” despite challenges ahead, a leading economist has said.
Angel Gurria, secretary general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), said there was a “bumpy road ahead” but urged Britain to remember Winston Churchill and government efforts to raise morale during the Second World War. Angel Gurria, secretary general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), said there was a “bumpy road ahead” but urged Britain to remember Winston Churchill and government efforts to raise morale during the Second World War.
It came as the influential thinktank published an explosive report claiming a second referendum to reverse Brexit would give a “significant” boost to the UK economy - a suggestion that was promptly dismissed by Downing Street.It came as the influential thinktank published an explosive report claiming a second referendum to reverse Brexit would give a “significant” boost to the UK economy - a suggestion that was promptly dismissed by Downing Street.
The OECD’s annual report, published today, projected economic growth of just 1% in 2018 and said the uncertainty of Brexit negotiations was likely to scupper chances of a free trade deal with the EU by 2019.The OECD’s annual report, published today, projected economic growth of just 1% in 2018 and said the uncertainty of Brexit negotiations was likely to scupper chances of a free trade deal with the EU by 2019.
Chancellor Philip Hammond refused to take any questions at the launch event but pointedly reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to Brexit.Chancellor Philip Hammond refused to take any questions at the launch event but pointedly reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to Brexit.
Mr Gurria, speaking at the launch, said: “It’s [Brexit] going to work, you are going to make it work.Mr Gurria, speaking at the launch, said: “It’s [Brexit] going to work, you are going to make it work.
“The only question is how long will it take? Are there costs attached? Yes there are, yes there will be.”“The only question is how long will it take? Are there costs attached? Yes there are, yes there will be.”
Referring to motivational posters created by the Government during the war, the OECD boss said: “Stay the course. What was that thing Churchill said? Stay calm and carry on.Referring to motivational posters created by the Government during the war, the OECD boss said: “Stay the course. What was that thing Churchill said? Stay calm and carry on.
“This is like the Blitz except fortunately not the Blitz.” “This is like the Blitz except fortunately, not the Blitz. Without the bombs.”
Both sides should adopt a "whatever it takes" approach to the negotiations and the Brexit process should not be "wedded to any particular timeframe", Mr Gurria added.Both sides should adopt a "whatever it takes" approach to the negotiations and the Brexit process should not be "wedded to any particular timeframe", Mr Gurria added.
He said European leaders were also keen to secure a good outcome from the talks and there was no need to rush the transition process.He said European leaders were also keen to secure a good outcome from the talks and there was no need to rush the transition process.
Mr Hammond, who has faced intense pressure from his own party over his gloomy Brexit stance, told the event: “The Government is clear that we are leaving the European Union and we want a deep and special partnership with the European Union, maintaining close economic ties after we leave the EU.Mr Hammond, who has faced intense pressure from his own party over his gloomy Brexit stance, told the event: “The Government is clear that we are leaving the European Union and we want a deep and special partnership with the European Union, maintaining close economic ties after we leave the EU.
“In doing so we know that by delivering a time-limited transition deal - avoiding an obstructive cliff edge exit from the EU - we can can provide greater certainty for businesses up and down the UK and across the European Union.” “In doing so we know that by delivering a time-limited transition deal - avoiding an obstructive cliff edge exit from the EU - we can can provide greater certainty for businesses up and down the UK and across the European Union.”
Pro-EU groups and MPs seized on the OECD report, with Labour MP Wes Streeting claiming the findings were the “final nail in the coffin for the already long-buried notion that Brexit will benefit our economy”.Pro-EU groups and MPs seized on the OECD report, with Labour MP Wes Streeting claiming the findings were the “final nail in the coffin for the already long-buried notion that Brexit will benefit our economy”.
The analysis suggests a “no-deal” Brexit would wipe up to £40bn off UK economic growth by 2019.The analysis suggests a “no-deal” Brexit would wipe up to £40bn off UK economic growth by 2019.
A government spokesperson dismissed any suggestion of a further Brexit vote, saying: "We are leaving the EU and there will not be a second referendum."A government spokesperson dismissed any suggestion of a further Brexit vote, saying: "We are leaving the EU and there will not be a second referendum."