THE founder of the Wetherspoons pub chain visited Southend to unleash his anger against the “appalling” Brexit deal brokered by Prime Minister Theresa May.

Tim Martin was in The Last Post today and spoke about the economic advantages of leaving the EU without a deal on March 29.

He pointed to the possibility of adopting the free trade approach of countries such New Zealand, Canada, Australia and Singapore have with the rest of the world.

The pub mogul believes the advantages of free trade will disappear if the Government pursues a deal with the EU which keeps the UK tied to the customs of the union.

 

Mr Martin explained his reasoning behind his beliefs, saying: “Now that the details of the appalling deal, negotiated by the Downing Street kitchen cabinet have become clear, it is certain the UK will be financially far better off by choosing no deal.

“The hard mathematics demonstrate beyond doubt that no deal leaves the public and the UK better-off on day one after Brexit.

“The UK will immediately gain by non-payment of the proposed £39 billion, for which lawyers have repeatedly confirmed there is no legal liability.

“No deal also allows Parliament, on 29 March 2019, to slash import taxes on over 12,000 non-EU products, including oranges, rice, coffee, wine and children’s clothes.

“Ending these tariffs will immediately reduce shop prices to UK consumers.

“There is no loss of income to the government from slashing these tariffs, since the proceeds are currently remitted to Brussels.”

Mr Martin also pointed to advantages in terms of the fishing industry, adding: “Most importantly, no deal allows the UK to regain control of historic fishing grounds, where 60 per cent of fish today are landed by EU boats.

“Also, the UK will be more democratic. Democracy and free trade provide economic steroids for the future.

“In reality, Theresa May’s deal is a mechanism for remaining trapped in an undemocratic and financially inefficient system.”