Boris hails a ‘new beginning’ for UK

BORIS Johnson has hailed a historic Brexit trade deal with the EU as a “new beginning” for Britain.

Following months of negotiations, an agreement was finally struck on Christmas Eve between the two sides with the Prime Minister subsequently announcing the UK had “taken back control” of its future.

But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer branded it a “thin” deal – even though he admitted his party would back it in a vote, which is expected to take place in the Commons next week.

Gary Streeter, Conservative MP for South West Devon, congratulated the negotiators, tweeting: “This is good news. It will certainly be approved by our Parliament. Once we get through Covid, the UK can go forward with confidence.” Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall described it as a “great achievement for Boris Johnson and Global Britain”, while East Devon MP Simon Jupp said he was looking forward to “a new future for our proud nation”.

National Farmers Union president Minette Batters, a South West farmer, described the Christmas Eve agreement as “very positive news for British agriculture”, but warned “new checks, paperwork and requirements on traders will add costs and complexity”. More than 60% of the UK’s agricultural food and drink production – worth £14.5 billion to the economy – is exported to the EU. “It is vital government does all it can now to prioritise exports of our high quality, perishable agricultural products,” she said. Jim Portus, chief executive of the South West Fish Producers Organisation, said it was good for fish traders that they will be able to trade without tariffs and without quotas, adding: “But at what cost?”

BORIS Johnson has hailed a historic trade deal struck with the EU as a “new beginning” for Britain that resolves the European question that has “bedevilled” British politics for generations.

Following months of negotiations, an agreement was finally struck on Christmas Eve between the two sides with the Prime Minister subsequently announcing the UK had “taken back control” of its future.

But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer branded it a “thin” deal – even though he admitted his party would back it in a vote, which is expected to take place in the Commons next week.

Frantic last-minute talks led to expected announcements by the two sides being continually delayed throughout Christmas Eve, with one of the biggest sticking points – fishing rights – continuing to hold up the deal. As the political drama unfolded in London and Brussels after nine months of often bitter negotiations, Mr Johnson signalled the move amounted to a fresh start for the nation.

In a Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson said the UK had delivered on what was promised in the 2016 Brexit referendum.

The Prime Minister said: “We have taken back control of our laws and our destiny. We have taken back control of every jot and tittle of our regulation in a way that is complete and unfettered.

“From January 1 we are outside the customs union and outside the single market. British laws will be made solely by the British Parliament interpreted by British judges sitting in UK courts and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice will come to an end.”

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen struck a more sombre note, stating: “We have finally found an agreement.

“It was a long and winding road, but we have got a good deal to show for it.

“It is fair, it is a balanced deal, and it is the right and responsible thing to do for both sides.”

There will be a five-and-a-half year transition period for the fishing industry, and co-operation will continue on issues including climate change, energy, security and transport.

The Christmas Eve deal came just a week before the current trading arrangements expire, with the UK leaving the single market and customs union.

Mr Johnson said the deal covers trade worth around £660 billion and means:

Goods and components can be sold without tariffs and quotas in the EU market.

It will allow the share of fish in British waters that the UK can catch to rise from around half now to twothirds by the end of the five-and-ahalf year transition.

Allegations of unfair competition will be judged by an independent third-party arbitration panel with the possibility of a “proportionate” response.

But the Prime Minister acknowledged he had been forced to give ground on his demands on fishing and conceded he had not got all he wanted on the vitally important financial services sector.