Newspaper column 16 December 2020 - COVID-19 and Brexit updates

 

This week sees the beginning of the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine via GP surgeries, which marks another important step forward in our fight against the virus, hopefully paving the way for a return to normality next year.

This week we also have the first review of the Tier system. In Cornwall, thanks to everyone being sensible and continuing to follow the guidelines, our COVID-19 numbers are continuing to drop and remain far below the national average, so I have every hope that we will remain in Tier One following the review.

As well as the continuing developments on COVID-19, Brexit is back in the headlines as the negotiations for our post-Brexit future Trade Deal continue.

It is important to note that this is not the Withdrawal Agreement, which the Prime Minister referenced as being ‘oven ready’ and able to be agreed during the 2019 General Election campaign. The Withdrawal Agreement was indeed passed by Parliament in January, which has resulted in us leaving the EU earlier this year.

This has been deliberately misrepresented by some politicians, including the Leader of the Opposition, who have tried to say that the Trade Deal is the same as the Withdrawal Agreement. This is clearly incorrect.

The Trade Deal with the EU needs to be concluded before the end of our transition period away from the EU on 31 December.

The EU’s negotiating team has been determined to make these negotiations as difficult as possible. It seems quite clear that they are concerned that a truly free and independent UK would be highly competitive and are therefore seeking to tie us into their regulations indefinitely – the so call ‘level playing field’ conditions.

For rather obvious reasons, the EU also wants to retain access to our fishing waters. Under current rules, EU vessels have guaranteed access to our waters. And the EU quota system has been weighted unacceptably against our fishing fleets. For example, France takes 84 percent of the quota for cod in the English Channel while the UK is allowed only 9 percent.

This is clearly unacceptable to fishermen in fishing ports like Mevagissey or Newquay, and any outcome will need to recognise our nation’s sovereignty and restore our fishing fleet’s rightful place in our waters.

I am pleased that our Prime Minister has not backed down on these red lines and has remained clear that, as has always been the case, the Government will walk away without a deal if expectations are not met.

All we are seeking is a reasonable trade agreement that benefits both the UK and the EU by allowing free trade between us without tariffs or quotas. After all we are the EU’s biggest customer, with whom they enjoy a £95billion export market. Initially the EU offered the UK a free trade deal, along the lines that they had agreed with Canada, subject to agreement being reached on arrangements for the Irish border. Once we had reached agreement on this they then withdrew their offer of a ‘Canada style’ deal.

It is not unreasonable for the UK to seek similar terms to that which the EU has agreed with Canada. The EU do not demand Canada follow their rules and standards. As the UK has been a member of the EU and paid billions into their coffers it would seem reasonable for us to be granted terms at least an a par with Canada.

As I write this it has been agreed that negotiations will now continue even though there appears to still be areas of serious disagreement. But I believe the Prime Minister is right to make every effort to find a deal, whilst keeping to the principle that any deal must respect the independence and sovereignty of the UK outside the EU.

My own position remains, as it has always been that if we can secure a trade deal with the EU, then so be it, but if a no deal is agreed the we will trade on World Trade Organisation terms. I would rather that than compromise on our sovereignty, and make no mistake about it, whilst a no deal outcome would present challenges, we can overcome them and we still have a bright future as an outward looking nation, away from the EU.

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Newspaper column 2 December 2020

Last week was another fast moving and significant week in politics.

We had the Autumn Financial Statement from the Chancellor on Wednesday where he laid out the government’s spending plans for the coming financial year. I was pleased to see that we will continue to provide additional support for our public services, with more money announced for the NHS, schools, local government and further investment in our transport infrastructure.

Part of this announcement was the confirmation of development funding for improving railway links within Cornwall through a new Cornish Metro that would provide a direct connection between Newquay and Falmouth. The new service would run from Newquay through Par, St Austell, Truro and onto Falmouth. This would be an exciting opportunity to connect two of Cornwall’s main tourist centres and provide an economic boost for all the communities along the route as well as better connections for local residents.

There is still some way to go in order to make these proposals a reality but the award of this funding is an important step. It shows that the government recognises the potential of this route and the funding will enable more details plans to now be produced to take it to the next level.

As well as the spending review, the big news last week was the announcement of the new tiered system for the next phase of our fight against the Coronavirus. The new tiers had been well trialled but the big news on Thursday was confirmation that Cornwall will be returning to the lowest level of restrictions in Tier 1. Along with the Isles of Scilly and the Isle of Wight, Cornwall will be one of only three areas of England in Tier 1 and the only one on the mainland.

This is clearly very welcome news for us locally, and particularly for local hospitality businesses who will be able to reopen under the lowest level of restrictions in the important period running up to Christmas.

As welcome as this news is, it really does need to be understood by us all that there is no room for complacency. Before we entered the national restrictions at the start of November Cornwall was in Tier 1. But at that time we were seeing the number of cases increase. This has now been brought back under control which does show that the restrictions worked and this was the right action to take. However, the tier we are in will now be reviewed regularly and if it is necessary this can be changed in order to keep the spread of the virus under control. Therefore, it is vital that everyone keeps to the rules, follows the guidance and behaves responsibly to ensure we can remain in Tier one.

With Cornwall being the only place in mainland England in Tier 1 I do understand the concerns many have raised with me concerning the potential of people from other areas of the country coming to stay Cornwall in the coming weeks. I appreciate the concern this may cause to some people.

I do think there are a number of key points that we need to consider to keep this matter in context. Firstly the government has been clear that people who are living in the very highest risk areas, Tier 3, should not travel outside of their area. It is also clear that those living in Tier 2, whilst they are permitted to travel, are legally required to keep to the Tier 2 rules whilst they are here.

It is also worth noting that despite having literally millions of visitors in Cornwall since the lockdown was lifted in July, this has not contributed to a rise in cases. In fact whilst the biggest number of visitors were here in the summer, the number of cases continued to fall. The increase we saw in the autumn was primarily linked to workplace setting, including those travelling to places such as Plymouth for work. There is no evidence that tourists have had an impact on the number of cases in our Duchy.

Providing those who may come stick to the rules, keep within their household groups or bubbles and behave responsibly, which the vast majority do, there is no real cause for concern.

I appreciate the coming weeks will continue to be challenging for us all. But we can see the light at the end of all this as we make further progress on seeing a vaccine that is safe and effective being available. So my plea is, despite whatever our frustrations and concerns, let us all continue to do our bit to keep ourselves, and those around us safe, whilst enjoying the relaxation in the rules here in Cornwall.