‘Its never been more crucial to reach a recovery-boosting deal with Europe’

• WE have now seen the prime minister’s self-imposed deadline to secure a trade deal with Europe come and go.

We were all promised a comprehensive deal with Europe and I believe there is still time to deliver that promise.

As the second wave of Covid-19 begins its never been more crucial to reach a recovery-boosting deal with Europe.

Polling by Best for Britain shows over four-fifths of people (86 per cent) in Northern Ireland have already noticed job losses and business closures in their community, something I’ve seen as well.

A recent report from the same source outlines how the countless professions, products and industries will be severely impacted from day one of a no-deal exit.

And that’s before we even get on to the matter of a hard border between us and the Republic of Ireland.

To leave the transition period with no plan and no deal would be disastrous in this climate.

Last week also saw the passing of the agriculture bill without the amendments intended to protect our food standards and our Northern Irish farmers.

It was a stark reminder that the best guarantee of our high standards is to trade with an ally who shares them.

Abandoning trade with our closest neighbour without a plan in place would compound our already vulnerable position.

This is not an abstract matter of diplomacy and trade. Our lives and our livelihoods are on the line.

Let’s pursue a recovery-boosting deal, which lets us work with Europe to recover from Covid-19 and keep our standards high.

LEWIS EVANS
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