Roger Helmer: We wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for UKIP
Let’s not forget – the vote to leave the EU and the subsequent move to approach triggering Article 50 could not have been done without UKIP. It is good to hear our Prime Minister Theresa May pledging to start the formal process of leaving the EU in March next year. We can then be truly…
Let’s not forget – the vote to leave the EU and the subsequent move to approach triggering Article 50 could not have been done without UKIP.
It is good to hear our Prime Minister Theresa May pledging to start the formal process of leaving the EU in March next year. We can then be truly independent and continue to make our economy thrive and grow. Certainly, there has been astonishingly good economic news post the Brexit-vote.
Credit is due to the prime minister, particularly on refusing to compromise on immigration, regardless of the single market question. But we should remember we would never have reached this position, and Theresa May (who voted Remain) would never have made that speech, but for all the work that UKIP has done over the years.
As we approach the substantive negotiations on Brexit, there are three things I’d like our politicians and our media to remember:
1. Single Market – They all talk about access to the single market, and forget that every country in the world has access to the single market, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
2. Free trade not linked to free movement – We are constantly told (as if it were a truism) that free trade requires free movement. It does not. The EU has free trade agreements with dozens of countries, and is negotiating more. Apart from the special cases of Switzerland and Norway (which effectively have quasi-membership of the EU), none of those agreements includes free movement. And Brussels would have refused free movement if the other parties had asked for it.
3. Our negotiating position – We have a hugely strong negotiating position, as the rump-EU’s largest external customer bar none. We are not going cap-in-hand to Brussels asking for favours. But we are prepared to offer Brussels free and fair access to our vital market provided we can do so on reciprocal terms.
As independence approaches we must make it clear we are not begging for a deal. We are offering Brussels the opportunity to negotiate terms to protect the EU’s own interests.
It was interesting to note that after digesting the prime minister’s speech that control of our borders, laws and money should be in our parliament’s hands. All these are UKIP policies as is the government’s flagship grammar school policy.
Remainers will have to accept the people’s referendum decision and it is good to see that UKIP’s campaigning position is again vindicated and replicated
What we in UKIP must do is to keep up the electoral pressure on. Nobody else will. We have shown our political campaigning power brings results on democracy, education and taxation and we will not let the decision-makers rest until Brexit is achieved.
My final point – what we would like to hear is the prime minister’s commitment and pledge to protect our fishing industry – something missing from her speech.
Roger Helmer has represented East Midlands Constituents in the European Parliament since he was first elected in 1999. After representing the Conservative Party in three elections, Roger moved to UKIP in 2012. He has recently been selected as the Number One Candidate on UKIP’s East Midland Candidate list for next year’s European Elections.
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Five metal art installations and information panels will be installed this week as work progresses on the Boultham Park lake restoration project.
Contractor Ebsford Environmental began improvements to the lake in January this year. Parts of the park near the main entrance are fenced off as works continue.
The project is set for completion in early April.
The lake improvements form phase two of the restoration of Boultham Park. | Photo: Emily Speed for CoLC
The lake improvements form phase two of the restoration of Boultham Park, which includes below water aeration equipment to improve water quality.
This will increase and stabilise the amount of dissolved oxygen in the lake and stop silt building up.
The project also includes bank restoration works, lake edge and woodland under-storey planting, footpath improvements and access to occasional boating, as well as the addition of a viewing platform.
Works include bank restoration, footpath improvements and access to occasional boating. | Photo: Emily Speed for City of Lincoln Council
The recently constructed metal art installations tell the story of the lake from the history of the site to the nature and wildlife it supports.
Volunteers have also worked on the project creating bat and bird boxes for the park, as well as planting trees, litter picking and plant clearing.
The project is being funded by the £658,700 given to City of Lincoln Council by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, along with city council funding.
The project at Boultham Park is set for completion in early April. | Photo: Emily Speed for CoLC
It is being delivered in partnership with Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.
Once the project is complete there will be further opportunities for volunteering and skills building at the site.
Contract Ebsford Environmental began improvements to the lake in January 2021. | Photo: Emily Speed for CoLC
Councillor Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place at City of Lincoln Council, said: “During this current time, we are all realising the importance of open spaces and the lake restoration work will help us to provide an even better site for wildlife, and attraction for both residents and visitors, with more ways for people to get involved in the park. I look forward to seeing the end product.”
There were 899 new coronavirus cases and 34 COVID-related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire last week – compared to 1,283 cases and 35 deaths the previous week.
The government’s COVID-dashboard over the weekend recorded 155 new cases in Lincolnshire, 60 in North East Lincolnshire and 41 in North Lincolnshire.
By Sunday evening, three COVID-related deaths were registered in Lincolnshire. These include deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.
NHS England also reported three new local hospital deaths – all at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust. This brings the total of hospital deaths last week to 24, a rise from 11 last week.
National cases increased to 4,228,520 while deaths rose to 124,501, however, daily deaths nationally dropped below 100 for the first time since October on Sunday.
More than 22.2 million first doses of vaccine have also reportedly been given out in the UK.
A graph showing Lincolnshire’s case numbers up to March 7.
Monday marks the return to school for millions of children in England. Many schools will phase their returns at secondary level while primary schools are expected to open for all pupils.
Last week, Lincolnshire County Council’s director of public health warned parents and carers not to forget lockdown rules on the playground.
SAGE scientists have already said this morning that it is “inevitable we will see a rise in cases” in the next few weeks, however, health bosses have previously moved to reassure that COVID is milder and less threatening in children.
From today, people in England are allowed to meet one friend outdoors but must remain socially distant.
Care home residents can also meet up with one named visitor, though they will be unable to hug or kiss them.
Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Friday, March 5
54,382 cases (up 256)
38,325 in Lincolnshire (up 155)
8,190 in North Lincolnshire (up 41)
7,867 in North East Lincolnshire (up 60)
2,108 deaths (up three)
1,552 from Lincolnshire (up three)
300 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
256 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)
of which 1,247 hospital deaths (up three)
775 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (up three)
41 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)