Late last night, the EU (Future Relationship) Bill passed through Parliament, ensuring that a deal with the EU was secured before the UK leaves the Single Market and Customs Union tonight.
Caroline yesterday supported the Bill as it made its way through the House of Commons, commenting:
“After four long years, the vote of Gosport Constituents is being delivered on, as the biggest trade and cooperation deal in the world has been secured.
“The deal takes back control of our laws, borders, money, trade and fisheries- and ends any role for the European Court.
“It has been a long journey & tough year, but thanks to the enormous efforts by so many, in hugely challenging conditions, we will enter the New Year as a fully sovereign nation.”
The deal delivers the first ever trade agreement based on zero tariffs and zero quotas that the EU has ever agreed and businesses will be able to maintain their links with Europe, as short term visits will continue and a financial services agreement has been reached.
It ensures that the European Courts of Justice have no say in the UK and the amount of fish available to UK fishermen will increase to two-thirds from a half. Importantly, without EU interference the UK will maintain and build on their high labour, environmental and climate standards.
The future relationship will continue to be one of cooperation as it fulfils the Conservative Manifesto promise to participate in the Horizon Europe programme, in addition to the Euratom Research and Training programme and space programme Copernicus. Not only will scientific and research relationships remain, but co-operation on security – including cyber and health security, counter terrorism and serious organised crime – will continue to prioritise citizens safety.
The Prime Minister addressed the Commons yesterday saying:
“Mr Speaker I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time, and having taken back control of our money, our borders, our laws and our waters by leaving the European Union on Jan 31st, we now seize the moment to forge a fantastic new relationship with our European neighbours, based on free trade and friendly co-operation.
“And at the heart of this Bill is one of the biggest free trade agreements in the world, a comprehensive Canada-style deal, worth over £660 billion, which, if anything, should allow our companies to do even more business with our European friends, safeguarding millions of jobs and livelihoods in our UK and across the continent.”