Michael Gove spells out Lincolnshire’s trade future post-Brexit

Government minister Michael Gove has said Lincolnshire has “so much to offer” in trade terms post-Brexit.

Mr Gove, who was visiting Lincoln today (Monday) in support of Conservative candidate Karl McCartney, said the county could also be a centre of innovation in the future.

“Lincolnshire has so much to offer in trade terms,” he said.

“It is the single most fertile agricultural county in the whole of England and the food that we produce here, particularly but not exclusively, the vegetables that Lincolnshire’s growers are responsible for, have a worldwide reputation.

“It is the case that access not just to European markets, but other markets beckons.”

Mr Gove said the city, could use its status as a “cultural, educational and tourist centre” to “leverage” further to attract people and that it held potential to “have a high-tech future”.

However, he said his party would have to “fight for every vote” across the country, conceding it would be a “really close election”.

“It’s a close fight here in Lincoln, but I think a combination, both of Karl’s record and his energy and commitment, but also the fact that Lincoln both as a city and a constituency voted to leave, if any other party if the Labour Party win here, then we won’t get Brexit done,” he said.

The Lincolnite and BBC Radio Lincolnshire will host a live debate will all the candidates tonight )Monday, December 9) at 7pm. More info here.

He threatened the potential of two referendums next year on Brexit and Scottish Independence if any party other than the Conservatives won and blamed the former Labour MP Karen Lee had “tried to stop” Brexit.

“Karl voted to leave, he argued that we should leave, with a re-election into the House of Commons he will make that happen as part of a Conservative majority,” said Mr Gove.

“Boris has a deal. It’s done. It’s ready. We can bring it back before Christmas. And we can get it concluded by the end of January, a vote for anyone other than the Conservatives risks, the current paralysis in Parliament remaining.”

Asked about NHS waiting times and other issues such as staffing, Mr Gove praised the new medical school and reiterated the Conservatives’ controversial promise of 50,000 “more nurses overall” – being careful to split that into the 30,000 new nurses and 20,000 retained positions.

He added that the party was looking to achieve more GP appointments and shorter waiting times.

He believed NHS staff could still be attracted to England, despite fears that EU staff may be put off coming, and said the new Australian-style points-tased immigration system will continue the “pipeline of talent” from abroad.

“The NHS is a fantastic place to work. There are more people who will be training as doctors and nurses in the UK, but it’s also the case that talented people from Europe and from beyond will have the chance to work in the NHS,” he said, adding the policies will “work in the interests of our public services and our economy”.

Voters will head to the polls on December 12 to cast their ballot in the third General Election in four years.

You can find all seven candidates bidding to become the city\s MP below:

• Rob Bradley, Independent
• Sally Horscroft, Green Party
• Caroline Kenyon, Liberal Democrat
• Karl McCartney, Conservative Party
• Karen Lee, Labour Party
• Charles Shaw, Liberal
• Reece Wilkes, Brexit Party

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