In Parliament, we delivered Brexit – the biggest democratic decision ever taken – despite enormous resistance. We now have full sovereignty over our country and I want to ensure that the Govt gets on with unlocking the opportunities. Thames Freeport has been a great start and it's already opening up new jobs.
In 2019, the Conservatives won the general election with an 80-seat majority with the promise to ‘Get Brexit Done’. We did get Brexit done - despite enormous resistance.
The UK Parliament is once again supreme and the European Parliament has no control over our borders, laws and finances.
Following Brexit, we have been working hard to unlock the opportunities. For the constituency, perhaps the biggest benefit has been the Freeport Scheme which would not have been possible in the EU. Thames Freeport, which includes London Gateway, has received a £20 million Govt injection and now benefits from streamlined planning processes, simplified customs procedures, and full expensing. So far, Thames Freeport has attracted a whopping £600 million private investment and 1,000 jobs. And companies like DHL are opening new warehouses and providing new graduate opportunities.
Looking further afield, the UK Government has signed 92 bilateral export agreements with countries around the world and it has signed 8 Memoranda of Understandings with US states including Texas, Florida and North Carolina. It has also guaranteed the entry of the UK into Asia's biggest free-trade zone called the CPTPP. The CPTPP is a market valued at over £8 trillion. All these agreements are good for UK businesses who will soon be able to access high-growth markets.
Some of the benefits of Brexit have been literally life-saving. Having left the EU, during the pandemic, the UK's Vaccine Taskforce procured vaccines months before the EU. As a result, we had the fastest vaccine rollout in Europe.
Stephen Metcalfe, Member of Parliament for South Basildon and East Thurrock, welcomed the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, to DHL London Gateway in Stanford-le-Hope on Monday to meet with staff and take part in a PM Connect Q&A session.
The UK’s exit from the EU has allowed it to develop an independent trade policy and forge closer economic and diplomatic ties with the world’s fastest growing economies.
Statement: Stephen Metcalfe Calls for General Election to End Parliament Brexit Farce (05.09.2019)
I continue to be grateful to all those who have shared their constructive views with me on Brexit, the Conservative Party leadership and the prorogation of Parliament.
Stephen Metcalfe congratulates Boris Johnson on his decisive victory in the Conservative Party membership ballot and looks forward to working with him as Prime Minister to deliver on leaving the EU by October 31st.
Statement: Stephen Metcalfe Backs Boris to Deliver Brexit by October 31st (10.07.2019)
I continue to be grateful to all those who have shared their constructive views with me on Brexit, the Conservative Party leadership and the case for a Second Referendum.
I continue to appreciate all those who have contacted me over the last week or so to offer advice and thoughts on the best way forward at this difficult time.
I have been consistent in my desire to deliver Brexit as voted for by 17.4m people in 2016. I supported Brexit, I campaigned for Brexit and I voted Brexit and would still do the same again.
