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Latest waffle.
"Why I'm backing Boris for PM
Since the referendum we’ve worked tirelessly to make sure the Government is ready on day one for Brexit – deal or no deal. Because nowhere are preparations more needed than at the Dover frontline.
Not only is it a sensible precaution, it is the best way of securing a good deal for our country. European leaders needed to know we mean business and are prepared to walk away if need be.
The current Prime Minister could have done so much more. Especially investing in technology to ensure smooth trade at the border, as well as greater investment in our roads – like widening the A2 and building the lorry parks we have long needed. This would have given us a world-leading border well suited to the free-trading, global economic powerhouse we want to become.
That’s why I was one of the first to call for fresh leadership. And my belief is that whoever the next Prime Minister is – they must believe in Brexit, believe in Britain and be willing to ramp up the preparations so we are fully ready for every eventuality at the end of October.
In recent weeks I met Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay at the Port of Dover. He told me how the Government is now looking to “enhance” plans at the border. I told him that enhancement is not enough – we must act now to make sure we will be fully ready on day one, deal or no deal.
I also made clear there is no need for hold-ups at Dover or Calais – as long as we make full use of the Transit Convention. Already used by many non-EU countries, it allows traders to cross borders without being delayed by customs declarations or import duties. We just need HMRC and the Treasury to get themselves properly organised so we are ready to take full advantage.
It’s great we already work closely with the French on passport controls, with our border officers working on the other side of the Channel. This should be extended to cover checks on food and any other trade checks that may be needed. We also need to ramp up pre-assessment, trusted trader schemes, a single Government department to be responsible for the border – all the things in the reports I wrote with industry experts over two years ago.
Because while there may only be a few months, we can be ready to leave at the end of October. This nightmare has gone on long enough. It needs to end on Halloween so that we can fully enjoy our freedom on All Saints Day, November 1.
That’s why we need politicians who will match the political courage shown by British people in 2016. They believed in better. They believed in the global Britain we can build together. Now is the time to make that change and ensure we leave the EU and move on. That’s why I will be backing Boris Johnson to be our next Prime Minister."
