‘They pushed Maastricht on us!’ IDS says Europhiles can’t shout us down AGAIN

The former Conservative Party leader slammed comments from ex Prime Minister Sir John Major that those pushing Brexit were showing a “disregard” for Remainers.

Mr Duncan-Smith referred to Europhiles pushing through the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 and urged Remainers to participate in meaningful debate.  

Remain-backing Sir Major said Britain’s vote to leave the European Union was “a historic mistake” during a speech at Chatham House.

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Iain Duncan-Smith has said he welcomed debate on Brexit

I seem to recall he and many of his cabinet shouted down those who were concerned about Maastricht

Iain Duncan-Smith

Speaking on Newsnight, Mr Duncan-Smith said the Maastricht Treaty had been an “unmitigated disaster”.

“With a bit of respect to John Major, I was here 25 years ago when the Maastricht Treaty was being pushed through. I seem to recall he and many of his cabinet shouted down those who were concerned about Maastricht which has turned out to be an unmitigated disaster,” he said.

“So I think a little bit of humility in this might not be a bad thing. The reality is that is the nature of robust debate. 

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“You know we’re going to have this huge Reform bill coming through in which everything is going to be debated ad nauseum and then people are going to get a vote at the end of it on whether or not they actually think they agree with the agreement that Theresa May brings forward.”

Asked by presenter Emily Maitlis about Sir John’s point that Brexit “cheerleaders” had shown a disregard that amounts to “contempt” for the 48 per cent of those who voted Remain, the former Work and Pensions Secretary said Leave voters has their own thoughts on Britain’s future.

“I’m very happy with debate, I think those who voted Leave will have their own opinions about where we go in the future and I relish that. You only test things by having debate,” he said.

The MP for Chingford and Woodford Green felt his predecessor – who previously promised to stay out of political debates – sounded “strangely bitter” as he made a series of “unrealistic and angry threats” opposing Brexit during a “rather sad” speech.

The 73-year-old former Prime Minister also personally criticised Theresa May, saying she needed to use “a little more charm and a lot less cheap rhetoric” during her upcoming Brexit talks.

But although he admitted Brexit would not be a “walk in the park”, Mr Duncan-Smith praised May for taking a realistic approach to Brexit.