Wednesday 16 December 2020

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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