Dear John,

UK-EU deal 'Not fit for modern trade environment'

That's the verdict of our brand new analysis of the deal. So we've avoided a January no-deal, but we'll need to build a better deal in 2021.

Our report, written by trade expert David Henig, warns that, although the Johnson deal is better than a WTO arrangement, it will still result in ‘considerably higher barriers’ to trade.

Henig identifies many areas of concern, and also points out ways the UK could build on this basic deal with our closest neighbours. You can read the report in full here.

So what now? MPs are voting on the deal on Wednesday 30th December, and we need your help to make sure they've read our report before the vote.

Even if you've written to your MP before, please get this report to them. We need all MPs to know what they are voting on.

This deal was negotiated at speed, and it shows. It is far from the comprehensive deal voters were promised – it is woefully thin on services that account for the lion’s share of our economic power, and it bears little resemblance to a modern trading agreement.

But the foundations have been laid, and now the serious building work must begin. Our report prioritises the next ten storeys that the UK and EU should layer on top of the deal, to protect our consumers, workers and businesses.

Best for Britain will continue to scrutinise how this deal works in practice. And we will work to persuade the UK government to continue talking and cooperating with our European allies.

We want to see the recommendations in our report become real. This basic deal is just the beginning - we can make a proper modern trading relationship with the EU.

Thanks for your help.

Best wishes,

Naomi Smith, 
CEO, Best for Britain