Two years on, what a great week for Brexit

WHAT a great anniversary this is – and what a week it has been for all who believe in Brexit and its wonderful opportunities.

Two years ago today the British people took the momentous decision to break free from the arthritic grasp of the EU, which had been throttling our democracy, leeching our cash and holding back our businesses for more than four decades.

In so doing, 17.4million registered their refusal to be cowed by Project Fear – the most sustained and dishonest Establishment propaganda campaign in our history.

How right voters were to trust their instincts. Indeed, the dire analysis published by George Osborne’s Treasury in May 2016 – entitled ‘The Immediate Economic Impact of Leaving the EU’ – makes almost comical reading today.

In it, the former Chancellor’s doom-laden prophets looked two years ahead to 2018, outlining what they claimed were the only possible outcomes of a Leave vote – ‘shock’ or ‘severe shock’. Both, they said, would cause a recession and a sharp rise in unemployment, while the second would put ‘around 800,000’ on the dole.

Well, two years are up – and today, there are 868,000 more people in work than on referendum day. As for the economy, it has grown steadily with every passing month.

Which brings us to this historic week, when the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill cleared its last major hurdle, unscathed by all Remoaner attempts to wreck it.

Don’t underestimate the significance of this achievement – or the skill with which a dogged Theresa May saw off the rebels, confounding those who forecast (for the umpteenth time) that she was done for.

With the legislation in place, the decks are now clear for striking a deal that suits both Britain and our 27 soon-to-be-ex partners.