It was back to school for me as well as I headed back to Parliament to start the first of many debates about Brexit, some of which will stretch into the early hours of the morning. The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill presents the first challenge to ensure we can convert legislation from EU to UK law in the simplest way possible. The solution isn’t perfect but, in my view, is certainly better than any alternative. The negotiations between the UK and EU teams have been continuing over the summer and an update on progress was given on our first day back in the House of Commons. There are differing opinions on whether progress has been good, slow or as to be expected. My experience of commercial negotiation is that the initial period is always slow and definitely feels like one step forward and two steps backwards, with most of the progress being made in the latter stages. Positioning and posturing are also a normal part of the process as will be compromise and ultimately agreement on a deal both sides can live with. This isn’t a typical deal though and of course it will be commented on and second guessed daily in the media in the UK and across Europe….
Another set of negotiations, which are perhaps more pertinent locally, are my discussions with the Roads Minister and Highways England. I have had a number of conversations to understand the budgeting cycles and timing of decisions to determine if we can have more time as a community to try to reach consensus on a way forward for the A27. I know some people think that it will be impossible to reach a consensus however we have been advised by the Transport Secretary that without this, the scheme will not be funded. Discussions are active and ongoing and we will update the community hopefully before the next Build a Better A27 meeting which is being scheduled for later this month. After decades of discussion it will be interesting to see if we can reach agreement on the A27 before we have a deal on Brexit……..