Global Britain must now succeed Brexit as our vision – The Yorkshire Post says

JUST like the Brexit referendum nearly five years ago, and subsequent upheavals, there are two competing narratives just over a month after Britain left the European Union in order to forge a new future.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson signs the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement on December 30.Prime Minister Boris Johnson signs the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement on December 30.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson signs the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement on December 30.

One points to this moment in time heralding a new era of global trade, like the much-vaunted Trans-Pacific Partnership, while the other points to this optimism being stifled by red-tape and regulations hindering imports and exports with the EU.

However there is one certainty – the clock cannot be turned back – and it is up to the Government to work with the private sector to overcome many of the glitches being reported.

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After all, Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and Kwasi Kwarteng, the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Business Secretary respectively, all advocated Brexit while Liz Truss, the International Trade Secretary, quickly became a prominent disciple after backing Remain in 2016.

UK chief trade negotiator, David Frost looks on as Prime MinisterPrime Minister Boris Johnson signs the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement at 10 Downing Street.UK chief trade negotiator, David Frost looks on as Prime MinisterPrime Minister Boris Johnson signs the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement at 10 Downing Street.
UK chief trade negotiator, David Frost looks on as Prime MinisterPrime Minister Boris Johnson signs the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement at 10 Downing Street.

And rather than re-running the referendum and recycling past soundbites, they need to be working with the business community to overcome the very practical difficulties that have been largely overshadowed by Covid’s impact on trade and the transfer of goods.

After all, the firms highlighted by The Yorkshire Post today are emblematic of the national economy and they hold the keys to the country’s recovery. The Government should be listening to them. As Tony Danker, the new CBI director-general, said in a pragmatic speech this week: “We can use our new Brexit deal, as a jumping off point – to put the politics behind us, grasp the opportunities ahead, and win more business in critical areas.”

He’s right. Brexit, like it or not, has passed. It has happened. The challenge now is turning Global Britain into a reality for businesses of all sizes – and from all sectors of the economy. For, if they succeed, this country can too.

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