Boris Johnson hails Brexit deal as ‘glad tidings of great joy’ in Christmas message

Luke O'Reilly24 December 2020

Boris Johnson has recorded a Christmas message for the country in which he described the newly-agreed post-Brexit trade deal as “glad tidings of great joy”.

The deal was secured on Christmas Eve, a week before current trading arrangements expire.

Speaking in a video on Twitter, he said he had a “present for anyone who may be looking for something to read in that sleep post-Christmas lunch moment”.

Picking up a copy of the 500-page document, he added: “The oven-ready deal was just the starter. This is the feast – full of fish, by the way.

“I believe it will be the basis of a happy and successful and stable partnership with our friends in the EU for years to come.”

The biggest thing to come out of the deal is that Britain will not have to end the Brexit transition period at the end of the month on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms which would have meant tariffs for goods entering and leaving the country.

The UK will now have access to its biggest export market without such levies being imposed.

But many leading economists say the UK’s GDP, a measure of its economic wealth, will be lower outside the EU than if it had stayed a member.

FILES-BRITAIN-EU-BREXIT-POLITICS
Thousands of international lorry drivers are braced to spend Christmas Day cooped up in their cabs
AFP via Getty Images

Meanwhile, thousands of international lorry drivers are braced to spend Christmas Day cooped up in their cabs at the English Channel border as slow progress was made to return hauliers home to their loved ones.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced hundreds of soldiers would be deployed to help the repatriation operation in Kent after French coronavirus restrictions introduced following the discovery of a fast-spreading mutant Covid-19 strain in the UK caused severe disruption at the Port of Dover.

Around 700 hauliers have been cleared for departure since the borders reopened on Wednesday – and a chorus of beeping horns sounded at the Port of Dover on Christmas Eve as those at the front of the queue celebrated finally being able to leave.

However, around 5,000 remain unable to get home, despite some progress made in testing drivers holed up in their vehicles at nearby Manston Airport, on a closed section of the M20, and in Dover itself.

Some have already spent nearly a week stranded due to the diplomatic impasse.

Brexit
 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said his party will vote in favour of the deal
PA

In a press conference held in response to the news of the deal, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said his party will vote in favour of it.

The fervent pro-European said it was “in the national interest” to support the agreement despite concerns over the terms negotiated by the Government.

Sir Keir said: “At a moment of such national significance, it is just not credible for Labour to be on the sidelines.

“That is why I can say today that when this deal comes before Parliament, Labour will accept it and vote for it.

“But let me be absolutely clear – and say directly to the Government – up against no deal, we accept this deal, but the consequences of it are yours.”

Fishing leaders criticised the deal
AP

Fishing leaders also criticised the deal.

Barrie Deas, chief executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, said there will be “frustration and anger” across the industry about the outcome of the negotiations.

Sporting a fish-themed tie, Mr Johnson told the Government press conference: “For the first time since 1973 we will be an independent coastal state with full control of our waters.”

But Mr Deas said: “In the end it was clear that Boris Johnson wanted an overall trade deal and was willing to sacrifice fishing.”

He said: “The broad feeling is that the UK has made significant concessions on fish in order to secure a trade deal.

“I think the industry will be extremely disappointed.

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