Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Brexit storm on the horizon
Covid- 19 has utterly transformed the dynamics of society.
Second, third and fourth waves are a constant threat; there are seismic shifts in UK government direction; we are in a new normal; and there are concerns for our reordered economy and possibly a beckoning collapse.
And yet, what many of us are forgetting is that there is a further problem yet to be faced – namely the Brexit deal between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
The UK Government has made almost no headway in negotiating an effective and comprehensive trade agreement that will suit all four nations of these islands.
The inane determination to coverup the stretching of lockdown rules by government ministers and chief advisors alike has meant the crucial date of June 30 has passed without even a chance to ponder.
Consequently, any possibility of an extension to the transition period has been lost.
This country cannot afford any more dithering and dodging by the Prime Minister.
We in Scotland were forced out of the European Union, in direct contention to the democratic majority vote to remain.
We were totally neglected, with no regard to our interests and future prosperity, during negotiations with other European nations.
And yet, it is we in Scotland who will pay the price for the storm that is brewing.
It is now time we face the fact that this pandemic has paralysed our economy and each and every one of us will be reeling from the effects of this for years to come.
Indeed, the redundancies have already begun. Many of my own constituents have sought support after sudden employment losses in light of these extraordinary circumstances.
Let us not kid ourselves; if we leave the EU with the Tory-preferred no deal, more and more jobs will be put at risk and these won’t be the last redundancies we see.
Then there are the food tariffs. We have already been informed that these will undoubtedly be imposed and may only be a few pence here and there.
However, if you are out of work, or living in poverty or waiting five weeks for a decision on universal credit payments, every single penny will have a wide-scale impact on sustaining some standard of living.
Crucially, we don’t have a government which can handle the task ahead.
Instead of trade negotiations, we will have austerity, followed by increases in unemployment, poverty and homelessness alongside an economic disaster incomparable to the recession.
If Covid-19 is coming in waves, rest assured; Brexit will be a guaranteed hurricane.