Chuka Umunna: Ministers are acting like 'second-hand car salesman' in their attempt to pass off Brexit to UK

Government ministers are acting like “second-hand car salesman” in their attempt to pass off Brexit to the British people like an “old banger”, the Labour MP Chuka Umunna is to claim.

At a speech on Friday, Mr Umunna will say that it has become “increasingly clear” that Brexit in the terms it was sold to the country and businesses is “not deliverable”.

“You've got these second-hand car salesmen in Michael Gove and Boris Johnson who have sold you what you thought was going to be a shiny new Audi with not much mileage on the clock and all the added extras,” he will tell an audience at the Advertising Association in London.

“You envisage getting from A to B very easily,” he will add. “Now you've gone to look at the car, and it's an old banger, god knows how many miles on the clock, and it's going to break down.

“Their worry is that you'll now want to abort your purchase.”

The Streatham MP, who is also a leading supporter of the pro-EU campaign group Open Britain, will add: “It is becoming increasingly clear that Brexit – in the terms it was sold to the British people and British business – is not deliverable… Conservative ministers are deliberately deceiving the British people about the Brexit negotiations. This Government is not being honest with you.”

“I have no problem with the Government being ambitious and wanting to get the best deal for Britain – we all share that goal.

“However, I do take issue with ministers deliberately deceiving people and sowing the seeds of fantasy when – as the reality of Brexit becomes clear – it is open to the people to take a different view on whether to press on with Brexit at the end of the talks.”

“Government ministers portray Brexit as a single linear road with one destination where we cannot slow down, stop or turn off. That is simply is not true.”