THE broad outlines of a free-trade agreement between the UK and Australia should be viewed in context. It is the UK’s first post-Brexit trade agreement to be negotiated from scratch, and the government has long argued that the ability to strike its own deals around the world is one of the big benefits of leaving the EU.
However, on the government’s own figures it is worth saying that trade deal is estimated to add 0.02% to UK GDP in 15 years’ time, while the government’s own estimates of leaving EU single market will reduce UK GDP by 4% over same period of time. We will need the equivalent of 200 Australias to offset the impact of leaving the world’s largest single market.
Alex Orr
Edinburgh
READ MORE: Liz Truss tells farmers to 'stop being defensive' about Australia deal
I DON’T know what our Scottish farmers are worried about regarding the Australia deal. The Tories have given “promises of safeguards” for heaven’s sake. You can take that to the bank. I mean, a few Tory vows and promises were all they needed during the independence and Brexit votes, General and Scottish elections. What’s changed?
Rory Bulloch
Glasgow
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel