May I thank Peter Cole of Sutton Bridge for his response to my letter two weeks ago, though needless to say I am disappointed that he failed to provide any reasons whatsoever as to why the National Farmers’ Union are wrong to say that we must avoid a No Deal Brexit “at all costs”.
Surely an organisation with such influence and representation in our area is worth listening to?
It seems that unfortunately Mr Cole is amongst many others who are adamant to achieve Brexit come what may no matter the ramifications for jobs in our area and the livelihoods of so many people who rely on tariff-free trade with our closest partners in the European Union.
Whilst I was happy to honour the result with membership of the single market and the customs union, things that the likes of prominent Leavers Daniel Hannan and Owen Patterson had hailed as a great compromise, I for one am not prepared to support putting the people of South Holland’s job security at risk by a no deal Brexit at any cost for the sake of what was, after all, a hard-right little Englander project.
Those who voted for no deal are kidding themselves when they say they voted for it in 2016.
If you voted leave, you did so on the basis of there being £350 million going back into the NHS, that immigration would be capped and that immigration from the EU was crippling the NHS, that Turkey were joining, that standards of living would rise and that we would stop unelected bureaucrats making our laws.
These are all now proven falsehoods. The NHS money failed to factor in our EU rebate, Turkey are not joining and never were, EU immigration is saving the NHS not killing it, standards of living based on the No Deal outcome would fall on the government’s own research, and it has now been explained that big decisions are made by all 28 EU governments reaching agreement, with Commissioners appointed by these same governments thrashing out the details, and then obtaining the approval of MEPs directly elected by citizens.
This area is undergoing a tumultuous period. Crime levels are rising. Our town centres are dying, and in the fifth richest country in the world food bank demand is soaring to unprecedented levels, with more families in work as well as couples unable to feed themselves. These are the scandals that plague us.
So before you ask me to get the tissues out and use the Remoaner smear again Mr Cole, please, if you don’t mind, ask yourself one thing: is a No Deal at all costs really what will help this community thrive again?
Mark Popple
Vice-Chairman South Holland and Deepings Labour Party
