Reform’s Zia Yusuf gets reality check on BBC Question Time after downplaying economic damage caused by Brexit
Alastair Campbell called Reform a “bunch of conmen” and reminded Yusuf that Brexit cost the UK economy 6-8%
Reform’s Zia Yusuf was given a reality check on BBC Question Time after claiming that Brexit is not responsible for Britain’s economic malaise.
Yusuf argued that the UK economy had performed better than those of several EU countries last year, including France, Italy and Germany and used this to suggest Brexit hadn’t negatively impact the country’s finances.
In comments directed at Alistair Campbell, Yusuf said: “I just want to address the comments about Brexit somehow being responsible for Britain’s economic malaise, well Alastair let’s look at the numbers.
“Despite the fact that the promise of Brexit has been betrayed by a conga line of incompetent Tory prime ministers…”
Host Fiona Bruce interjected, stating: “Some of whom are now part of Reform in very senior positions.”
While Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper also weighed in: “It’s always someone else’s fault.”
The Reform figure continued: “Despite the fact that the British economy barely grew last year, do you know which economy grew slower? France. Do you know which grew slower? Italy. Do you know an economy that grew much slower? Germany.”
Cooper quickly dismantled Yusuf’s argument, stating: “We’re not comparing Britain to these countries, it’s about trade between them.”
Yusuf then accused Andy Burnham, the Labour government and Campbell of wanting to “betray” the millions of people who voted for Brexit.
Campbell said he was glad that Burnham is re-running the arguments on Brexit, “because we cannot get away from the damage it has done”.
He said that the referendum was “one of the worst campaigns there has ever been on which we took one of the most consequential decisions this country has ever taken”.
Former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell served up the facts to Yusuf regarding the damage Brexit has done.
Campbell said: “I will say to Zia and to his friend Nigel that he talked about so lovingly there, Brexit has taken 6-8% out of our economy, if we had not left the chancellor today would have had £90 billion more to spend. He could have doubled the defense budget.”
He continued: “They [Reform] can sit there. The people who gave us Brexit and they now want to give you another set of false promises. Do not fall for them because they are a bunch of conmen, they’re being found out and it’s one reason why Nigel Farage will never be Prime Minister of this country.”
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward
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