BREXIT DEAL- THREAD: I shall vote for the agreement reache…

To have ended the transition period with no deal at all would, I believe, have resulted in an economic stress and uncertainty that, on top of the damage caused to our economy by coronavirus, that would be quite simply unsustainable. 2/24

It appears to me, however, that we have spent the last four years and huge amounts of time, money and political capital reinventing the wheel. 3/24

The suggestion that we have “achieved a trade deal worth six hundred and fifty billion pounds “with the European Union has all the hallmarks of a “side- of- the-campaign- bus” slogan about it that is, to say the least, disingenuous. 4/24

What we are now presented with is an agreement that delivers most but not all of the trade arrangements that we previously enjoyed with the remaining twenty-seven countries of the European Union with strings attached and no further say in policy or regulation. 5/24

We shall no longer be members of the CU our trade with the EU will continue to be tariff-free & unlimited by quota or quantity our exporters & importers will face a level of bureaucracy & paperwork that can add to the cost of goods that we purchase & to further loss of jobs 6/24

Kent will face the additional requirement to process the “Kent Access Pass” that will still be required to establish that freight vehicles are carrying the correct documentation before they are allowed to enter the County. 7/24

The agreement reached is a trade deal. It does not cover the financial and other services that make up much of the European economic benefit to the UK and it has yet to be seen to what extent those sectors will over time be diminished as a result of our departure from the EU 8/24

We also shall no longer be part of the Erasmus student exchange programme that has benefitted generations of British students through exposure to the talents of Pan-European institutions. 9/24

Erasmus will be replaced with a UK taxpayer funded multi-million pound global “Turing” scholarship scheme to facilitate worldwide educational travel. 10/24

The full details have yet to be released but as the best educational institutions outside the United Kingdom and the “Ivy League” US universities are in Europe we have to hope that British students will still be able to access those centres of academic excellence. 11/24

As it stands the agreement contains inadequate provision for the hitherto accepted mutual recognition of professional qualifications. That will inevitably have the potential to inhibit the free exchange of medical and veterinary professionals. 12/24

Of which the UK already suffers from a desperate shortage, engineers, architects, lawyers, scientists and many others from whose services we have all benefitted over many years. 13/24

We have to hope relationships between our own & European security & counter-terrorism will be maintained but the Europol & other liaisons will clearly be weakened to the disadvantage of both the UK & the EU & to the advantage of those powers & movements that wish us ill 14/24

Freedom of movement has, with to date no reduction in net immigration, been replaced with restrictions upon our own freedom to travel and remain within the countries of Europe as well as with restrictions upon those from European countries. 15/24

Upon whose labour our health and care services, agriculture and many other industries and businesses have depended. 16/24

Our health cover within the EU is said to have been preserved following the expiry of the E111 health insurance card but the details are unclear and as of today Government advice remains that those travelling abroad should if they can get it take out health insurance 17/24

As of 31st December, unless a further agreement is reached before the end of the week, all those driving abroad will also be required to carry and produce on demand require a green motor insurance certificate. 18/24

We have, until now, “punched above our weight” in the global ring. “Brexit” has, however, come at a significant cost in diplomatic and international standing as we have recently demonstrated a willingness to break our word and formal undertakings. 19/24

Do not underestimate the long-term effects of the crass handling of the Internal Markets Bill Even our staunchest of allies in the United States & the Old Commonwealth have watched in disbelief as we have shredded political and economic capital & tossed it to the four winds 20/24

We are still a member of NATO, certainly & at present we maintain our place at the High Table in the UN. We also remain signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights and to our membership of the Council of Europe. But for how long will this UK now remain united? 21/24

The Scots will, if afforded the opportunity, hold & are likely to win an independence referendum, leave the EU and re-join the EU and if that happens it is highly likely that Northern Ireland would then wish to hold the necessary plebiscite & unite with the IR & also the EU 22/24

Will the “Brexit Emperor” be revealed to have no clothes? And will Mr. Johnson go down in history as the Prime Minister who precipitated the break-up of our United Kingdom? I am not always right and I hope that I am wrong this time. 23/24

I am passionately British and a patriot and I fervently hope that the Union and our standing in the World will be maintained for another thousand years. But I have grave doubts. 24/24