Seven years ago, by the largest majority of any UK poll ever, we voted for EU exit, with this subsequently reiterated at two further general elections in 2017 and 2019.

At home and abroad, the enacting of our decision to leave has allowed us to make real positive changes.

In the House of Commons earlier this month I spoke about how, whilst Britain is experiencing economic growth, the Eurozone is now in recession.

We are, of course, no longer bound by EU law or billions of pounds in membership subscriptions, which have now been redeployed to our NHS and defence budgets.

As we all remember, Covid-19 had a significantly negative impact on the aviation sector, particularly felt here in Crawley with Gatwick Airport of such importance locally. Outside the EU, Britain was able to use its new powers to vary slot allocation rules to prevent ‘ghost flights’: not only cutting costs for airlines but saving carbon emissions as well.

The UK also set up its own pandemic task force to procure vaccines and by not signing-up to the EU vaccine strategy we were consequently much quicker than the EU bloc to vaccinate its citizens and reopen normal life sooner.

Through leaving the EU we have been able to amend the tax system: for example abolishing the ‘tampon tax’ on sanitary products and reducing VAT on energy-saving items.

The UK has also been able to stand up for its values on the global stage more robustly and independently. We were the first country in Europe to send military aid to Ukraine, with Britain able to bypass EU prevarication. Similarly, the AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom and United States) alliance enhances UK security interests against threats from China, all whilst EU states have struggled to become less reliant on Chinese economic dominance and Russian energy supplies.

Since Brexit we have been able to avoid more than 7,300 new EU laws, whilst the bloc has continued its goal of ‘ever closer union’ at democracy’s expense.

The UK has now signed over 70 trade agreements around the world and joined a Trans-Pacific Partnership, stretching from New Zealand to Canada and many other of the globe’s fastest-growing economies.

Great Britain is now able to look outwards rather than towards Brussels. We can make our own laws, not be bound by the Eurozone and rather than adhere to the wishes of those who want a superstate, we have ensured that decisions about our nation will be decided by the people of Britain.

Our independence has made us more secure, sovereign and successful.

Henry Smith MP