The price of freedom is less influence – VG

Now begins the final reading and interpretation of what is actually stated in the 1246-page document that the EU and the UK agreed to on December 24.

Relief rather than celebration characterizes the reception of the Christmas Eve arrangement. The only one who applauds without reservation is Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He must sell this as a bigger victory than the Brexit wing of the Conservative Party has already discovered it is not.

At the same time, it must sweeten the pill to those who want to notice the economic downturn, increased bureaucracy and the practical downsides that follow when Britain is no longer part of greater facilitation between nations.

The text of the agreement was published on the second day of Christmas and the Prime Minister has asked the British to familiarize themselves with what it entails. In time, many will say. The day after the referendum four and a half years ago, when a narrow majority said no to remain a member of the EU, the second most used search string on Google in England was: “What is the EU?” Just off: What does Brexit mean?

This is the Brexit agreement between the EU and the UK

In this way, it is clear what people will mean when they discover the limitations they incur in exchange for “sovereignty” – Johnson’s mantra of “getting Brexit”. The price of cooperation is compromise. The reward is that they are better equipped together. That loneliness strengthens, is an interesting statement from Ibsen. But how attractive is a UK with weakened influence in Europe, say to a normal US administration?

Self-government also has a cost. After the New Year, the British will find out if it was worth it. When their young people can no longer freely choose their place of study in Europe, the British police do not have access to EU databases and professional recognition ceases, so doctors, engineers and others who need work and specialization in EU countries they cannot move automatically, but must apply for residency and acceptance of education in each individual case.

The Brexit deal will regulate everything from trade, freight, competition and security to air traffic and fishing. British trade gets duty and quota free access to its most important market. That alone is worth almost NOK 7 billion.

At the same time, the agreement will not cover services and the financial sector, which amounts to approx. 80 per cent of the UK’s economy and exports. The prime minister also admits that there will be a merchandise border check, there will be a customs border in the Irish Sea, once roundly rejected by Johnson as an eyesore that “no British prime minister can ever accept”, and neither was there nothing about “being found dead.” in a ditch ‘?

The British have established a historic free trade agreement. But the exceptions are many and the EU concessions are a snapshot. The rest of the EU will continue to develop the union and, as it will no longer have to heed British objections, there will be new laws and conditions that are primarily intended to serve the interests of its members. The British will have to submit, without the opportunity or influence to suggest anything better.

VG Editorial 27.12.2020