I have been very clear since 2016 that the referendum result must be respected, and that a deal should be agreed between the UK and our European Union neighbours. I proudly stood in the 2017 and 2019 General Elections on this platform to agree a deal.
It was always the case that any agreement would require some tough negotiating and would likely come at the last possible minute. I am pleased that today a deal has finally been agreed.
The news of a deal is excellent for families and businesses here in London and across the country. This deal is the first free trade agreement based on zero tariffs and zero quotas that has ever been achieved – all in record time. For this, the Prime Minister and our negotiating teams deserve much credit.
As the Prime Minister has said to the EU this afternoon, “We will be your friend, your ally, your supporter, and indeed never let it be forgotten, your number one market”. This deal delivers on the referendum result and the commitments made in the 2019 election, and allows the UK to move on and begin a new relationship with our European neighbours and partners.
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