Boris Johnson’s biggest lie about Europe is finally coming home to roost | Simon Jenkins

From plummeting trade to drastic shortages of workers, needlessly leaving the single market has been disastrous

It was the big Brexit lie. No, not the 350m a week to spend on the NHS or the bonfire" of red tape. The lie was that the shambles now enveloping British trade with Europe was an unavoidable price worth paying to leave the EU. That was rubbish.

In order to further his chances of becoming Tory leader Boris Johnson made two commitments. One was to resign from the EU, the other was to depart Europe's customs union and single market, aspects of which embrace other non-EU states such as Norway. The second decision was an almost casual gesture to make him look macho to the party's hardline Brexiters. It was not put to referendum and was beyond stupid.