WE’RE almost there.
But, as the clock ticks down to 31 December, there are those who still refuse to accept we are leaving the EU.
With a few notable exceptions, their sanctimonious accusations of law-breaking over a Bill that would keep the UK together in the event of a no-deal are sadly all too predictable.
The Withdrawal Agreement is clear.
Negotiations must be carried out in good faith, with both parties using their “best endeavours” to conclude a trade deal.
However, it is all too evident that the EU’s approach to negotiations is to bang on and on about their red lines, not least on fishing.
There is no reason on this earth that we could not agree a Canada-style deal.
Incredibly, one was on the table, but that’s now evaporated as the EU sees fit to punish us for daring to take back control of our country.
The Internal Market Bill is simply a safety net in the event we leave the EU with no deal.
Without it, we see British goods heading to Northern Ireland subject to tariffs.
To have an integral part of our United Kingdom treated differently, and under the edicts of the EU, is totally unacceptable.
So, too, are their threats to blockade our agricultural goods, which the Prime Minister rightly described as a “revolver” on the negotiating table.
The fact remains that no deal is better than a bad deal and, if negotiations fail because the other side is not keeping its word, we may have to use this domestic legislation to retain the UK’s integrity.
Those who oppose this Bill either do not understand its necessity, or are wilfully backing the EU.
Naturally, I hope a trade deal will be agreed, which is in all our interests.