“TAKE back control.” “Get our country back.” Remember, 2016?

Followed by “Get Brexit done”, “Unleash Britain’s potential”, in 2019.

And where are we now?

Our supermarket and shop shelves are emptying by the week. Predicted to be far worse as we approach Christmas.

We have a massive shortfall of 100,000 HGV drivers. European drivers going back to home counties and then not being able to get back into the UK.

And likewise a massive shortage of labour working in food production and processing factories.

And this along with customs costs wholesale destroying businesses that were trading with EU countries. All 26 EU countries now have to be dealt with one by one with huge rise in complexity and costs.

When we pressed the “Get it done” button we ended free movement of labour, trade, capital, and services, with enormous consequences.

And all so predictable. End movement of people and of course there will be shortages of labour. Rack up border customs and VAT and of course prices will go up.

There will of course be howls of outrage against this view, telling us the issue is Covid, not Brexit. But look into the facts, what the industry directors are saying, the lorry drivers federation, and supermarket bosses.

Covid plays a part, and a large part, but the clincher, end of free movement, is what locks in the huge loss of labour, plus locked in border customs and VAT, with rising costs.

But then I suppose the arch Brexiteers will tell us its all the fault of those dreadful Europeans.

Never our own fault in UK that we broke with the largest open free trading block in the world - on our own doorstep.

Name and address supplied

Email letters@nqnw.co.uk


Social, newsletters, subscriptions and getting in touch...

You can follow the Bolton News on social media, by joining us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

We also have dedicated Facebook groups on Crime & Court, Traffic & Travel, Nostalgia and our Camera Club page

If you want to make sure you don't miss the most important news stories every day, sign up to one of our free e-mail newsletters 

Gain unlimited access to the Bolton News website with a premium digital subscription - we are running a £2 for two months special offer

Or if you want the Bolton News newspaper delivered to your door, get in touch with our home delivery team or call us on 0800 953 0227

Finally, have you got a story for us? If so, contact us at newsdesk@theboltonnews.co.uk or by using our online contribution form