It hard to believe that it was last June when Britain took the momentous decision to leave the EU. I campaigned to leave the EU because I wanted us to have control over our own laws and borders, and have the ability to make our own trade deals. The Prime Minister’s speech on Tuesday encouraged me greatly that this is exactly what we will be doing.
In her remarks the Prime Minister made clear how the Government intends to move forward in securing the best deal for Britain. Importantly she did so in a positive way, recoginising the opportunity we now have to be a truly outward looking nation.
The Prime Minister offered welcome clarification regarding all the main components as far as Brexit is concerned: making our own laws, controlling immigration, our contributions to the EU and trade.
She also made clear a much confused issue: membership of the single market. Importantly she emphasised, just as I have, that membership of the single market isn't necessary in order to have access to it. There are many countries across the world which export to EU countries, so there is no reason why we won't be able to. Britain has always been an attractive country to do business and trade with, and this will not change.
Since the referendum, Trade ministers have visited 55 countries, promoting UK exports of goods and services and encouraging investment. Since the referendum, more than £16 billion has been invested in the UK from overseas; a clear vote of confidence in the UK. Earlier this week I met with the Japanese Ambassador to the UK, Hitachi and others, where we discussed the possibilities for further trade and collaboration between our countries moving forward. Hitachi already invests in Horizon Nuclear Power, which is a major employer in the Tewkesbury constituency.
With the current political situation in Northern Ireland, I was also reassured by the Prime Minister’s comments on the Common Travel Area with Ireland. I am Chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, and know from my own discussions with the UK and Irish Governments that there is no desire to return to the borders of past. It is important now, more than ever before, that we continue to develop the great friendship and cooperation the United Kingdom and Ireland have fostered over many years.
The referendum also made clear that Brexit must mean control of the number of people who come to Britain from Europe. However, this doesn’t mean we cannot continue to attract the brightest and best to work and study in Britain, just as we always have done, but rather that this needs to be controlled. Our excellent universities will always attract the best students from all over the world and the Prime Minister made reference to our world renowned science, research and technology sector, in which we will continue to collaborate with our European partners.
As the Prime Minister said, we may be leaving the European Union but we are not leaving Europe. Instead we can now get on with forging a new, positive and constructive partnership between Britain and the European Union for the benefit of both parties.