Finally, we have a deal. With our Prime Minister's statement, the nation breathed a sigh of relief. It has been gruelling negotiations stretching over four and a half years. Often, a no-deal was on the card, and finally, on Chrismas eve a deal was struck to the relief of many, especially amongst the business fraternity. The most significant relief to businesses is the removal of uncertainty. Now everyone knows that we can trade with the biggest trading partner as usual.
This deal allows Britain to take back control of her borders, laws, and sovereignty. It also, simultaneously, allows trade to flow both ways as usual without tariffs. More importantly, Britain can now negotiate trade deals with any country, especially with the Commonwealth members.
Why I feel the deal is good for the United Kingdom is simple. If a nation cannot control its borders, then it cannot control its destiny either. It is natural for immigrants to flock to a country with a booming economy and better public services.
Since Britain joined the European Community, nearly a million Polish, half a million Romanian and immigrants from the Baltic States, Spain, Greece and Italy have arrived, boosting the British population to the tune of approximately five million. This large influx of immigrants has undoubtedly changed many cities' demography and increased pressure on the NHS, housing and schools. With this deal, Britain can now decide who comes to work according to her needs. It can facilitate targeted immigration based on the points system like that of Australia.
The credit to get a practical deal must go to the Prime Minister and his team. It is never an easy task to reach an agreement satisfactory to both parties. I did not think a deal was possible as it could encourage more members to follow the United Kingdom's example. I now look forward to the ratification of the agreement by both British and European parliaments.
