Marie Boyer, MD of Manchester based France Line International Transport Ltd, which specialises in cross channel freight between the UK and France, comments on the results of the recent election, what it means for the transport and freight sector and asks the new Prime Minister to deliver in putting freight on the right road.
“I welcomed the election result as I feel it heralds a period of positive change and hopefully a revitalised economy and growth for the UK. I was also pleased by the new prime minister’s first steps once in power. In my opinion, he formed an impressive Cabinet of talented Ministers, including our first female Chancellor among many other high-profile females. It’s good to see a woman, Louise Haigh, in post as Secretary of State for Transport too.
“I’m also encouraged by the ‘fully costed’ transport-friendly commitments in Labour’s manifesto, though delivery is the crucial next stage. It includes:
- Tackling congestion
- Fixing an additional 1 million potholes
- Upgrading ports
- Empowering mayors to create unified, integrated transport systems
- Developing a long-term strategy for transport infrastructure
“For the European freight sector, it is here that Sir Keir’s government will encounter the biggest elephant in the room. Labour’s manifesto pledge around Brexit was clear: ‘There will be no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement. Instead, Labour will work to improve the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU, by tearing down unnecessary barriers to trade.’
“Indeed, a few days after the election, on his way to the Nato Summit in Washington, Keir Starmer did say he would accelerate talks on forging closer UK – EU relations with European leaders on the fringe of the summit. But there are mixed messages coming from the EU. On the one hand, we will see no change without concessions on free movement. On the other, there are signs, most recently from the Irish PM, that the EU is ‘absolutely’ open to Labour’s plan for overhauling the post-Brexit landscape. I sincerely hope so. Freight needs an improved trade relationship with the EU. British business needs it. The UK needs it to drive growth and create the better economy Labour is promising.
“Over to you, Sir Keir.”
info@francelinetransport.co.uk
0161 746 8339
francelinetransport.co.uk
