Thank you for contacting me about the economy and your wish to extend the transition period.
I understand your concerns but the deadline for extending the transition period has now passed. I believe that an extension to the transition period would only have created more uncertainty for businesses. A future partnership agreement will provide stability in the long-term and encourage investment and trade.
An extension to the transition period could also have had significant economic and political consequences for the United Kingdom. Our contribution to the European Union budget would have continued and we would have remained under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. The United Kingdom left the European Union in January this year and the European Union’s control over our affairs must come to an end.
Negotiations have continued throughout the coronavirus outbreak with discussions by video conference in April, May, and June following the first round of talks in March. Face-to-face negotiations have now resumed and the technical detail is well understood by both sides. The differences that remain are largely of a political nature and I am hopeful that these can be resolved. The United Kingdom is not asking for a special, bespoke, or unique deal. We are looking for a deal like those the European Union has previously struck with other friendly countries like Canada.
The United Kingdom and the European Union agreed that the transition period would end on 31st December as part of the Withdrawal Agreement. This is enshrined in the United Kingdom’s law.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Yours sincerely
James Duddridge MP
Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East