When it comes to the trade talks with the EU, I believe the government is taking the bull by the horns. It is not simply waiting for a deal, but is preparing for a no-deal exit. This includes provisions like those in the Internal Market Bill which I recently supported, which seeks to ensure that in the event of there being no trade agreement, free trade within the UK’s internal market will be maintained.
Brussels need to wake up to the reality that we are prepared to trade under WTO terms if a fair trading arrangement cannot be agreed. We should be optimistic about the opportunities that are open to us and forge a plan for our future outside of the European Union.
The UK will leave the single market and the customs union at the end of the year regardless of whether further agreement is reached. Businesses must prepare now for these changes. A significant investment in ports and border infrastructure has been announced and a nationwide advertising campaign on the steps we must all take at the end of the year is underway. Further information is available at www.gov.uk/transition.
Should the UK leave the transition period without further agreement, the Government has been clear that it would continue to be ready to talk to our EU partners. We would of course continue to trade with each other, but we should seek to agree solutions to cross-border issues such as flight regulations, lorry freight and scientific research.
