Lib Dems Call for Brexit Extension If No Deal Is Agreed

A local doctor is calling on Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid to back an extension to the Brexit transition period should there be no deal agreed by the end of the month.

Dr David Nicholl, the Lib Dem spokesperson for health in the West Midlands who stood against Sajid Javid in last year's general election, expressed the need to avoid a No Deal Brexit especially with the Covid-19 pandemic ongoing.

Under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement approved by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the UK and EU have until 1 July to extend talks on a trade deal.

Dr Nicholl expressed that an extension will not prevent Brexit and pointed to polling showing support for an extension. A Poll from YouGov in April found significant support for extending the transition period in light of Covid-19 with 56% in favour and only 27% opposed.

Dr Nicholl said: "I highlighted the risks of patient harm from a No Deal Brexit last year. This week the UK pharmaceutical industry warned that some stockpiles of medical supplies have been "used up entirely" by the fight against Covid-19. Polling shows that the majority of people support an extension so that we manage our exit from the EU safely, without harming patients"

Dr Nicholl had previously written to Sajid Javid asking how many trade deals have been agreed so far and was informed that the Government has identified 2,100 agreement with the EU and is prioritising replacing 176 of them. The Government have declined to identify how many of these agreements have been replaced however.

The calls from Dr Nicholl and the Bromsgrove Lib Dems were echoed by Lickey Hills councillor Janet King.

She added: "It is very unlikely that a good deal with the EU can be achieved by the end of this year and there is a real danger of leaving with no deal. Coming as it does straight after the Covid-19 lockdown the UK economy would go into free fall with food prices rising and a real risk of a bad trade deal with the US."