The UK had a General Election this week on 12/12/19. In reality, it was really more like a contest to see who would be successful in the battle to either remain in, or to leave the EU. The British public voted in 2016 to leave the EU, but this has always been blocked and contested by some political parties in the UK Parliament. 12/12 was a decisive day to see what the people thought after 3 years of debates, arguments and general troubles in the Parliament.

We watched with interest on the night of 12^th; polling stations closed at 2200hrs. By the morning it was very clear that the real opinion was for the UK to leave the EU and instead take up other international trade deals around the world; which were prevented by being a member state of the EU. Trade deal negotiations are always done by the EU when it comes to member states; they are not allowed to go off and do their own thing. This is what annoys a lot of British people; that the EU does the deals on their behalf, and they then have to put up with the result. People wanted out, as the 2016 ‘In / Out’ referendum showed by its result.

Some political parties fought the election on a ‘remain in’ approach; others fought in a ‘get Brexit done’ approach. By the morning of 13/12 it was clear what the majority thought – ‘get Brexit done’ had made huge winnings in the form of the Conservative Party led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The Labour Party, led by Jeremy Corbyn on an attitude of getting another deal done and then putting it back to the people (again) – a 2^nd referendum; were tranced in the election; losing dozens of seats in what had always been Labour heartlands.

The Liberal Democrat Party; fighting on a ‘stay in the EU’ approach, were very heavily defeated. Both the Party leader (Jo Swinson) and their Brexit spokesperson, one Tom Brake MP; lost their seats in the election. They had hoped for massive gains at the election to remain as members of the EU; but the voters thought otherwise. They were trounced.

So, now, with a majority of some 75 Members of Parliament the Conservatives are rapidly moving ahead to get out of the EU by the end of January 2020. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48256318

By leaving the EU, the UK will be able to take back control of its own policies and future destiny. UK law will be decided on and made in the UK rather than in the EU; which would apply to all member states.

As animal advocates; we are very much hoping that by leaving the EU, the UK will be able to make its own legislation for improvements in animal welfare. One issue that has been very important to us is the live transport of animals. Under EU law the UK is NOT allowed to ban live animal exports; a rule which applies to all other member states. By leaving the EU, the UK government will be free to introduce its own legislation which would allow live animal exports to be banned. Campaigning by many UK animal welfare organisations over many years has sent a clear message to the UK government; and we are confident that UK action for a ban will start very soon.

The UK has some good animal welfare policy, but that does not mean that it cannot be improved on. Free from the EU legislation; the UK will be able to make even higher standards for farm animal welfare than those which are laid out under EU regulations; many of which are not adhered to by some EU member states anyway. Why does the EU not take action about this ? – don’t ask us; it probably cannot be bothered in reality. They are, in their opinion, only animals after all.

Carrie Symonds is the partner of Prime Minister Boris. She is a very keen animal welfare activist and we think is behind his approach in government to improving animal welfare standards. Good news for welfare as it can do nothing but good from our national situation.

Above and below – Carrie protests against Taiji and whaling.

Regards Mark