Harborough MP hails UK’s new Brexit deal with the European Union as 'fantastic news' - but others are not so sure

Harborough MP Neil O’Brien is hailing the UK’s new £668 billion-a-year Brexit deal with the European Union as “fantastic news”.

The MP spoke out as the history-making agreement is set to be debated and approved by MPs in the House of Commons tomorrow (Wednesday December 30).

But Cllr Phil Knowles, who leads the Liberal Democrat group on Harborough council, said he was “very fearful” about the impact of quitting the EU on local businesses and industry.

Neil told the Harborough Mail: “It is fantastic news that the Prime Minister has reached a trade and security deal with the EU.

“Having a deal means we avoids taxes imposed on products coming to and from the European Union.

“But we have completely taken back control of our borders, our laws and we will stop paying in money to the EU budget.

“We have full control over our regulations, and there will be no role for the EU court in the UK any more.”

The Conservative MP said Prime Minister Boris Johnson stuck to his guns as he stared down the EU and achieved the best possible outcome for the UK.

“The Prime Minister has played hardball and secured a deal many said would be impossible.

“But ultimately it is a deal both sides are happy with.

“And it creates a framework for us to cooperate with our friends in Europe in a new way, while taking back control.

“In practical terms this will mean that we can do things like bringing in an Australian-style points based immigration system to control migration from Europe,” said Neil.

“We will be able to end the export of live animals and ban the cruel trade in smuggled puppies from Europe.

“It will let us reform rules which have put a brake on access to finance for small business.

“We are now able to do trade deals with other countries from Canada to Japan.

“And we have signed several already, and we will be taking back full control of our fishing waters, with more fishing rights for British fishermen.

“It has been a mammoth negotiating task and I would pay tribute to the team who have worked like crazy all year to bring it about.

“It is a really positive new beginning for Britain and Europe.”

But Cllr Knowles, who campaigned to stay in the EU as the groundbreaking referendum was held in June 2016, told the Mail: “I’m hoping for the best and this is clearly better than no deal.

“But there are still real uncertainties for many businesses and industries across Harborough as well as all over the country.

“There are still many major grey areas.

“I’m fearful that on January 1 when we leave the EU we will all see big changes.

“I’m very worried that there will be many more questions than answers.”

Cllr Knowles added: “I want to make it 100 per cent clear that although we were opposed to leaving the European Union we held a national vote and a democratic decision to leave was made.

“We have to stand by that.

“But the proof will be in the pudding here.

“No deal would have been even more catastrophic for us all.

“But there will be confusion for businesses both importing and exporting, for people travelling to Europe and for Britons living in the EU.

“So let’s hope that the Government finds the right answers and solutions as soon as possible as we go into 2021.”