Why retailers and carmakers slapped down Michael Gove as others stay quiet

The government desperately needs the cooperation of those representing key sectors, writes James Moore

The auto industry is not willing to play along with Brexit bluster (PA)

Another day, another mouthful of mendacity from Michael Gove. He’s become the archbishop of duplicity to Boris Johnson’s king.

“The automotive sector, who I talked to earlier this week, confirmed that they were ready, the retail sector confirmed that they are ready,” said Gove, who holds the position of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and is in charge of planning for a no-deal Brexit.

Oh no we didn’t, was their response.

It’s never a bad idea to confront falsehood with actual fact, so I’ll give you their exact words.

The British Retail Consortium said this: “We have been crystal clear that while retailers are doing everything they can to prepare for a no-deal Brexit on 31 October, there are limits to what can be done. It is impossible to completely mitigate the significant disruption which would be caused by no deal.”

That doesn’t say “we’re ready”. It says “we can’t possibly get fully ready for a shock like that and you damn well know it”.

Mike Hawes, head of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said this via Twitter: “Auto has been consistent & clear: Spent over £1/2 bn on prep but can’t fully mitigate serious risks. Need deal & free & frictionless trade.”

Neither of these organisations would appear phased by the reports of businesses and business groups being told to belt up with the Brexit criticism if they want access to ministers.

I’ve heard those reports, and from good sources. I’ve also heard reports of certain trade bodies indulging in self-censorship because of the allergy a government dominated by zealots has to people pointing out the potential consequences of its actions.

So why are these two so willing to publicly slap down a cabinet minister like that? Aren’t they risking their access?

Well here’s the thing: Gove has to put up with them effectively, and correctly, saying he gets his breakfast from the finest porkie pie emporium in Melton Mowbray because he needs them as much as they need him.

If Gove is to “get ready for Brexit”, so the dismal slogan of that dismal campaign goes, he needs retailers and carmakers to do as much preparation as possible, otherwise the shops will be half empty and the car factories will be shut down and the economic damage will be worse than even the grimmest of predictions.

Let’s say his boss finds a way to contrive – sorry, break the law to “deliver” – a no-deal Brexit and people head to the polls after finding their supermarkets are half empty. Only the fruit loops will go for his party, and the election he says he wants but won’t get until after 31 October will go very badly indeed.

Guess who’ll be there to take the blame if the no-deal preparations are tested and found wanting? The phrase “too clever by half” springs to mind for the Duchy’s man.

It’s harder for those businesses and groups not in “essential to our half-assed plans” category.

But trade bodies indulging in self-censorship to gain access should ask themselves what they are achieving by indulging in it.

It will ultimately prove to be self-defeating. As for those ministers and officials saying shh? If they really are so thin-skinned that they won’t listen to critical voices, they’re part of a very bad government indeed. But then we knew that.