Brits have nothing to fear from Brexit but leaving with a deal is unquestionably best
Leaving the EU is not about dislike of our European neighbours, it is about escaping from a failed economic model and reasserting democratic control over the nation’s future.
It unquestionably would be better to leave the EU with a deal.
This is partly because it would smooth the path and lessen the worry for those who do any form of business with the EU or are simply holidaymakers.
Project Fear may not be true but it has made people fret, which is irresponsible on behalf of its progenitors and a pity for those affected. More importantly, it is better for the UK to depart on friendly rather than hostile terms.
Leaving the EU is not about dislike of our European neighbours, it is about escaping from a failed economic model and reasserting democratic control over the nation’s future. It makes sense to depart in a way that maintains as much friendship as possible.
Whatever happens, the European Union will remain an important economic partner and market; on many international issues the UK and the EU will continue to have similar objectives and personal friendships; and inter-connections will remain. A deal would help ease all of this and even be worth making a modest payment for.
This does not mean that the UK ought to fear leaving without the current Withdrawal Agreement or any potential alternative. The recent Today Programme interview with Mr Puissesseau, the President of the Calais port and Deputy Mayor, removed the major plank of the Project Fear structure.
Almost all the risks are predicated on the Dover–Calais route becoming gridlocked, stopping food, common medicines and components coming through; although, the idea that just-in-time delivery requires the EU is ridiculous; it is used in many non-EU countries across their international borders. Mr Puissesseau said this will not happen. He even complained that the preparations being made for it were disrespectful to Calais and that no extra delays would be imposed. Amusingly, the interview was set up and introduced to provide the opposite answer and the tape is worth listening to for the discomfiture of the official BBC view.
In addition to goods continuing to flow, under a No-Deal departure, the British taxpayer would save £39billion, money that could be used to cut taxes, to help our domestic economy and leave plenty to help any exporters who face particularly high tariffs.
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The advantages of Brexit would come through sooner with trade barriers going down in 2019 instead of 2021, which could see the cost of food, clothing and footwear fall sharply if the Government were to follow sensible policies. This particularly helps the least well off in society.
Trade is helped by an absence of barriers, be they tariff or regulatory ones. The EU specialises in erecting barriers for a fortress Europe. Leaving without a trade deal under WTO rules would allow us to look to the rest of the world sooner and open up opportunities. There really is nothing to fear but fear itself.