Brexiteer MP John Redwood has been ridiculed after calling for the free movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
In a tweet directed at the government, Redwood said it “needs to take urgent action to ensure free movement of goods between Northern Ireland and GB”.
The Tory backbencher added: “We voted to take control of our own laws,taxes, borders and trade rules for the whole U.K. Let’s get on with it.”
The government needs to take urgent action to ensure free movement of goods between Northern Ireland and GB. We voted to take control of our own laws,taxes, borders and trade rules for the whole U.K. Let’s get on with it.
— John Redwood (@johnredwood) January 13, 2021
Redwood has previously called for a ban on foreign trawlers in UK waters and said Britons should to “grow more at home” to cut down food imports from the EU.
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The Brexiteer’s concerns come as hauliers spend tens of thousands of pounds bringing empty lorries to Northern Ireland.
Seamus Leheny, of Logistics NI, said exports of goods from Northern Ireland to Great Britain are doing well, however, less is coming back across the Irish Sea as suppliers are faced with new customs demands.
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Redwood’s tweet received some stick online.
Steve Gill responded: “Easiest way to achieve that, without breaking international agreements, like the Good Friday Agreement, would be to join the EU Customs Union and Single Market. Would have hugely beneficial immediate effects on all UK business sectors including fishing.”
Easiest way to achieve that, without breaking international agreements, like the Good Friday Agreement, would be to join the EU Customs Union and Single Market.
Would have hugely beneficial immediate effects on all UK business sectors including fishing.— Steve Gill 🇬🇧🇪🇺🇿🇦🏴🏴 (@GreenOakSteve) January 13, 2021
@Sudden_Stars added: “In other news, a man who bricked up his windows to prevent people looking in is now upset that he’s not able to look out.”
In other news, a man who bricked up his windows to prevent people looking in is now upset that he's not able to look out. https://t.co/Uht58OPVE8
— Captain Easychord (@sudden_stars) January 13, 2021
Labour MP Neil Coyle launched a more personal attack, writing: “He called for this. He voted for this. He still doesn’t understand this. He is responsible for this mess.”
Where to start…
He called for this.
He voted for this.
He still doesn’t understand this.He is responsible for this mess. https://t.co/kX8bWQtWIR
— Neil Coyle (@coyleneil) January 13, 2021
Twitter group Leeds for Europe were a bit more cheerful.
“Brexit ends the free movement of goods and people,” they wrote. “That’s the whole point. Are you now saying you want to reverse #Brexit? If so, welcome on board. That’s our plan.”
Brexit ends the free movement of goods and people. That’s the whole point. Are you now saying you want to reverse #Brexit? If so, welcome on board. That’s our plan. 👍 https://t.co/U8MM9kvnBs
— Leeds for Europe 🇪🇺 (@LeedsEurope) January 13, 2021
@SpanishDan1 highlighted: “You do know that you put a border in the Irish Sea and carved off Northern Ireland in readiness for a United Ireland, yes? Even though most Tories deny this truth.”