John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): Would the Government confirm that the European Union has misjudged the mettle of this Government and country in thinking we are going to give away our fish again and accept all their laws in return for a free trade agreement they need more than us. I congratulate him on his statement and say no more concessions.
Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Dominic Raab): Can I thank my Right Honourable Friend. I think I agree with all of those points. Of course, we were asked by the EU to make a choice. We’ve chosen a Canada style agreement. It seems to many of us that the EU would like to cherry pick by giving us the level of access of a Canada style agreement but wanting a level of alignment of a Norwegian style agreement and that is not on the table.
February 3, 2020
I do hope the media pick up the cherry pick comment and run with it.
A show of support from these shores will go a long way to strengthening our hand
February 4, 2020
Good Morning,
I am greatly encouraged by Mr. Johnson’s Statement, especially on fishing – it is, as Mr Bootle in the Telegraph, (and one of my earlier posts!) going to be the ‘litmus test’ of our real freedom from EU tyranny. The importance of regaining our fishing grounds to Scotland, and therefore the Union of United Kingdom, should not be underestimated.
Stick to the common sense and spirit of the PM’s Statement and we’ll really have something to celebrate on new year’s eve 2020!