Dear Editor
Whatever might be the current apparently unexciting but non-alarming state of our economy, there are nevertheless some disturbing trends that are not being brought to the attention of the public, and are clearly as a direct result of our dire situation with Brexit inducing faltering negotiations and ambiguities. Many UK companies, large and small, are hoarding a war-chest instead of investing in jobs, training and technology, waiting until our future is clearer (whenever that may be!). It is no wonder that our productivity is lagging seriously behind our European neighbours. At the moment any companies exporting seem to be doing OK, but only because of the weak pound, which make our goods look cheap. However, the recent meetings in Downing Street with Japanese car manufacturers showed a rising tide of worry , in that they export so many cars to Europe that even with a weaker pound, these cars will look expensive and uncompetitive once tariffs are added.
Also, another fear not mentioned yet, but will rear its head soon, is that the City is by far the biggest tax generator in the UK and, if all the City firms that have indicated their intention do jump to Frankfurt, Paris and Dublin (who seem to be doing a good job of wooing them) how will this tax void be filled? The burden will then fall on the rest of us. If interest rates continue to rise to cope with slow inflationary trends, then the result will be a serious economic crisis.
Yours faithfully
Carol Ward
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Very much support the above concerns. In ten years time I can see the UK being a land mass between Eire and the rest of Europe which is on an increasing slide into having to give in to any trading and employment terms the countries, both members of the EU, decide it is convenient to agree to.
I support a vote in Parliament on the final document and then another referendum, by which time those who vote will at least know what they are voting for. And it won’t all go on the side of a bus!
It seems to me that Carol’s post is yet another moan from ‘Project Fear’. The Prime Minister has been consistent in setting out her objectives and her negotiating position on leaving the European Union. Nobody has said that achieving our Independence would be easy, and so far it has indeed been a rocky journey, but what we need now, more than ever, is for us to continue to work towards a successful outcome, not just for ourselves but for our friends across the Continent of Europe also.
I find it hard to believe that Remainers are happy to be ‘ruled”by unelected bureaucrats from Europe. Thank you Michel for a voice of sanity
Really? Nobody said it would be easy? How about these for starters?
Liam Fox 20/7/17
The free trade agreement we will have to do with EU should be one of the easiest in history
John Redwood 17/7/16
Getting out of the EU can be quick and easy – the UK holds most of the cards in the negotiation
Nigel Farage
20/9/16
To me Brexit is easy.
David Davis 14/7/2016
We can do deals with our trading partners, and we can do them quickly. I would expect the new Prime Minister on 9 September to immediately trigger a large round of international trade deals… I would expect the negotiation phase of most of them to be concluded between 12 and 24 months.
We have received several more comments on this opinion piece. The Rye News editorial team have decided that the comments recieved are enough and we will not be pubishing any more. The Brexit debate will no doubt continue in to be covered very widely- and interminably- in the national media.
I am posting this as a member of the editorial team.