Parliament was today recalled from recess to debate and vote on the Prime Minister’s recently concluded free trade deal with the European Union.
The 1,500-page deal sets out the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU, ensuring zero tariff and zero quota access whilst following through on the referendum pledge to restore sovereignty to the UK.
South West Wiltshire MP, Dr Andrew Murrison, welcomed the deal which was announced on Christmas Eve. Today, he voted alongside 520 other MPs who passed the deal through the House of Commons.
Andrew said:
“It is a great result, a ringing bipartisan consensus – except for the Lib Dems and SNP who decided the UK would be better leaving without a deal, it seems.
“My hope is that this will usher in a new beginning and a cordial and productive relationship with the EU.”
Secretaries Hancock and Williamson also gave updates on the UK’s Covid-19 strategy, having welcomed the regulator’s decision to grant approval to the Astra Zeneca / Oxford University vaccine earlier today.
The new restrictions will include South West Wiltshire moving into tier 3 with the rest of Wiltshire.
Andrew participated in the public health debate, commenting:
“I loathe these restrictive regulations but concede they are necessary right now although what we learnt about the Astra Zeneca vaccine today may mean we can be rid of them sooner than we thought.
With Brexit done and a new vaccine being rolled out, I’m hoping for a much happier New Year, my good wishes for which I extend to everyone in South West Wiltshire.”