Speaking at a conference in Berlin last week, the Chancellor of the Exchequer urged German politicians not to damage growth in Europe by punishing Britain over its decision to leave the European Union, saying that “a lot is at stake”.
Philip Hammond told his audience that the UK and Germany are “the growth dynamos of Europe”, thanks to the “policies and philosophies that guide the economic management of our two countries”.
He said that the UK and Germany have a common task after Brexit to generate growth and promote open trade. “Our two countries have been responsible for more than half the economic growth in the EU since 2010 and three quarters of the employment growth.
“We need to harness that energy for the good of the future of the EU and the UK. We need to find a solution that recognises the constraints on both sides but delivers an outcome that supports continued economic growth.”
Mr Hammond, who was speaking at the annual Die Welt conference, said that some at Westminster think Germany and other EU countries might consider making life awkward for the UK, in order to deter other countries from holding an EU exit referendum.
“I understand Germany will approach the challenge with the priority of protecting the integrity and unity of the EU, but this does not have to be a negative-sum game.
“The UK Government is clear that a strong and successful EU and a strong and stable euro are very much in the UK’s interests. We will not do anything that would undermine the EU or risk its unravelling.
“The UK referendum decision is irreversible. People like me, who believed that it was better to remain inside the EU and to campaign for reform within, have moved on. The debate is now about what kind of Brexit there will be.”