Opportunity knocks now we’re free of EU shackles
THIS week has marked six years since the UK voted to leave the European Union, and I am sure we are all incredulous at just how quickly time has flown by. An operation as huge and unprecedented as Brexit was always going to have its challenges, and we have certainly seen this as time has gone on.
It’s fair to say that some concerns have been raised amongst individuals and businesses, regardless of their position of whether they have been supporters of Brexit over the years or not.
The complexity of securing trade deals and changes in legislation has meant that, at times, it has been difficult to determine what Brexit actually means for the UK in practice and what benefits it can bring to our country.
Fortunately, we are blessed with so many innovative businesses here in Derby, all of which will have had to adapt to the changes that Brexit has brought so far, at the same time having to deal with the effects of a worldwide pandemic which has been far from easy.
However, whilst Brexit does bring challenges, it also brings real opportunity and optimism.
Many businesses have had the opportunity to rethink the logistics of their business models with regards to supplies, staffing and the paperwork that comes with all of these changes.
Although this is not always straightforward, it does give businesses the opportunity to expand and engage with both the wider world market as well as more local networks.
I have spoken with businesses across Derby North, as well as from East Midlands Chamber of Commerce and with Marketing Derby, all of who, despite the challenges, still remain optimistic and resolute about the prospect of being an sovereign nation.
Here in Derby, for example, the ‘Aukus’ (Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States) agreement has led to Rolls Royce establishing their Nuclear Academy at the iHub here in the city.
They will now take on approximately 200 apprentices each year, enabling them to develop home grown talent and skills for what will be an international market.
Brexit has also afforded us the opportunity to be world leaders in the development and rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine as a result of not being restricted to EU ‘red tape’ and unnecessary bureaucracy.
The abolishment of the so-called tampon tax is yet another benefit of unleashing ourselves from the EU, and is an issue that I have spoken about in Parliament.
This is something that the Government has wanted to take action on for years but was unable to do so until Brexit.
As an independent country, we can move further and faster to tackle climate change to meet our 2050 net zero commitments, as well as go further to protect our natural environment and support our farmers.
Most recently, we have seen the Rwanda policy come into force which will stop criminals exploiting vulnerable individuals by smuggling them illegally from a place of safety in France to England for money.
This is via extremely dangerous and life-threatening methods of crossing the English Channel and needs to be stopped.
I strongly believe that there is so much opportunity still to be realised out of leaving the European Union, and whatever challenges we may face on this journey will eventually pay dividends for every individual, business and the country as a whole as we move forward with this opportunity to level up our nation.