'I am the original Brexiteer'

Sunak hits back at Farage and says EU exit 'right for country'

- BARNEY DAVIS

Rishi Sunak has insisted he is the “original Brexiteer” and boasted of the Tories’ record on international trade since the UK left the European Union. With polls predicting a Tory defeat in the election, and with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK attracting Leave voters, the under-fire prime minister maintains it is the Conservatives who have delivered “Brexit freedoms”.

“As was said in last week’s debate by [Sky News presenter] Beth Rigby, I am the original Brexiteer,” he told The Times. “I was proud to support Brexit, and it was the right decision for our country because we can take advantage of the opportunities that are now ahead of us. We’re signing free-trade deals around the world, which have now led to Brexit Britain overtaking France, the Netherlands and Japan to become the fourth-largest exporter in the world.