State of Play in the UK - Trade Talks, Immigration and Huawei

by Louise Mclean

Due to the sudden dramatic turn of events, with corona virus dominating the media, news of how talks with the EU have been going this week, has been a little thin on the ground.  Some were saying further Brexit talks should be halted until the health situation was under control.

A 100 strong delegation of advisers arrived in Brussels on Monday and we hear that the EU is realising it will have to drop some of its demands. Yesterday Barnier was not happy at the way the talks were going and even went so far as to say that the UK must 'respect the sovereignty of the EU'!   However, David Frost, head of the UK negotiating team, is still talking tough.

There are serious divergences between the two sides, as Michel Barnier would like regulatory alignment for trade, continued EU fishing rights, the European Court of Justice having a say over our laws, as well as sharing of intelligence regarding security and criminal justice.  In addition Britain recently said it may no longer sign up to the European Convention on Human Rights, which has seen numerous criminals winning cases to remain in the UK, as Britain could have its own version of this. 

The good news is that many companies in the EU are planning to open offices in the UK after the Brexit transition has been completed at the end of the year.  Over 1,000 EU financial firms have applied to the Financial Conduct Authority for temporary permissions to operate in the UK after Brexit.

And on Tuesday, Liz Truss, the International Trade Secretary delivered a speech on unfair trade practices and protectionism at the World Trade Organisation in Geneva, when Britain took up its seat as a fully independent member, after nearly 50 years of EU membership.

The EU currently has its own problems, with Greece at the mercy of an invading army of migrants at the Turkish border and Brussels surprisingly supporting its attempts to hold them back, including handing over funding.

Here in the UK, our Secretary of State at the Home Office, Priti Patel, has decided to be much tougher on crime and wants to deport terrorists, murderers and rapists, stripping them of their UK passports.  

She has come under attack because Sir Philip Rutnam, Permanent Secretary at the Home Office, has resigned, citing bullying and swearing by her.  A letter signed by 100 people who have worked with Mrs. Patel say they 'do not recognise the picture painted of her this week'. The public are on her side (apart from the Islington lefties) and are fully aware of the bias in the civil service against both Brexit and taking a tougher stance on immigrants. 

There is some question too as to whether it is because Mrs Patel demanded to see the report on Asian gang grooming of young girls, which caused Sir Philip to resign and the subsequent media attacks on her.  This report which was due to be made public, has recently been suppressed as 'not in the public interest' and there is currently a petition circulating for its immediate release.  

Priti Patel has recently launched the new Immigration Points System, which Nigel Farage has been suggesting for years, as the answer to sorting out immigration.  Anyone with a job offer for a specific job shortage occupation with a salary of at least £25,600 a year and able to speak English, will be able to apply to work in Britain.  Originally it was £30,000 which would have been better, as this would attract more highly skilled people.  The new system comes into effect on 1st January 2021.

The Tory European Research Group (ERG) has a new Chairman, Mark Francois.  They are going to continue the Group to make sure there is no backsliding and Boris Johnson delivers Brexit.  In fact all Conservative MPs have signed up to a pledge for a Canada style free trade deal with the EU.

The ERG is highly concerned about the 5G contract with Huawei.  This could seriously impact on good relations with our Allies and America may no longer want us to be part of the 5 Eyes, nor share intelligence with us if we persist in going ahead.  The ERG have tabled an amendment to the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill, when it comes to Parliament on Tuesday, which would force the government to set a deadline of 31 December 2022 to end Huawei's involvement and up to 40 Tory MPs intend to vote for the amendment.