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Sir John Major attacks 'unreal' Brexit vision Sir John Major attacks 'unreal' Brexit vision
(35 minutes later)
Britons are being offered an "unreal and over-optimistic" vision of what Brexit will look like, Sir John Major has warned.Britons are being offered an "unreal and over-optimistic" vision of what Brexit will look like, Sir John Major has warned.
The former Tory prime minister also called for "more charm, and a lot less cheap rhetoric" from the UK government towards the rest of the EU. The former Tory prime minister also called for "more charm and a lot less cheap rhetoric" from the UK government towards the rest of the EU.
And he said the costs of leaving would be "substantial" and "unpalatable".And he said the costs of leaving would be "substantial" and "unpalatable".
Sir John, who campaigned for a Remain vote in June's referendum, made his comments in a speech in London.Sir John, who campaigned for a Remain vote in June's referendum, made his comments in a speech in London.
'Brushed aside' Prime Minister Theresa May plans to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which begins two years of formal negotiations, by the end of March.
He claimed there was "little chance" the advantages of being part of the EU single market could be replicated once the UK leaves. She has already confirmed the UK will not remain a member of the EU single market but will instead seek a new free trade deal with the remaining members.
Sir John claimed there was "little chance" the advantages of being part of the EU single market could be replicated once the UK leaves.
"I have watched with growing concern as the British people have been led to expect a future that seems to be unreal and over-optimistic," he said."I have watched with growing concern as the British people have been led to expect a future that seems to be unreal and over-optimistic," he said.
"Obstacles are brushed aside as of no consequence, whilst opportunities are inflated beyond any reasonable expectation of delivery.""Obstacles are brushed aside as of no consequence, whilst opportunities are inflated beyond any reasonable expectation of delivery."
Sir John said the talks require "statesmanship of a high order" and warned of a "real risk" of the exit deal falling "well below the hopes and expectations" that have been raised. Messages for May
Laura Kuenssberg, BBC political editor
For Theresa May, also an unflashy leader who was propelled to No 10 by a surprising political moment, Europe will be defining in a way no others could even have anticipated.
In Sir John's carefully calibrated speech, there are plenty of messages for her, some of which may be welcome, some not.
First off, having campaigned to stay in the European Union, with sober warnings particularly about the consequences for the Northern Irish peace process, it's no surprise that Sir John says that in his view, Brexit will be a "historic mistake".
It is notable, although again not surprising, that he cautions that the UK will be a diminished diplomatic force in the world after we walk away from the EU, with a warning too that we will be less useful to our most important ally, the US, as a consequence.
Also, even as the PM who lived through the Commons trauma of trying to deliver the Maastricht Treaty, it is logical that he calls for Parliament to have a full role in shaping the negotiations over our place in Europe.
What may be harder for No 10 to dismiss is Sir John's obvious political concerns about how the public are being treated in the months after the referendum decision.
Read more from Laura
Sir John said Brexit talks require "statesmanship of a high order" and warned of a "real risk" of the exit deal falling "well below the hopes and expectations" that have been raised, saying he doubted the "rosy confidence being offered to the British people".
"In my own experience, the most successful results are obtained when talks are conducted with goodwill: it is much easier to reach agreement with a friend than a quarrelsome neighbour."In my own experience, the most successful results are obtained when talks are conducted with goodwill: it is much easier to reach agreement with a friend than a quarrelsome neighbour.
"Behind the diplomatic civilities, the atmosphere is already sour. A little more charm, and a lot less cheap rhetoric, would do much to protect the UK's interests.""Behind the diplomatic civilities, the atmosphere is already sour. A little more charm, and a lot less cheap rhetoric, would do much to protect the UK's interests."
Prime Minister Theresa May plans to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which begins two years of formal negotiations, by the end of March. He also said the "cheerleaders" for Brexit had shown a "disregard that amounts to contempt" towards those that backed the losing side.
She has already confirmed the UK will not remain a member of the EU single market but will instead seek a new free trade deal with the remaining members. And he said the UK would become "far more dependent" on the US after it leaves the EU, describing President Donald Trump as "less predictable, less reliable and less attuned to our free market and socially liberal instincts than any of his predecessors".