It's enough to warm my soul.

First published in the www.suffolkfreepress.co.uk & www.dissexpress.co.uk Thursday, June 11, 2020.

Being a Libertarian, I tend to err on the side of optimism. After all, my fundamental beliefs are grounded in the self-evident truth: that people, if left to the own devices, tend to make the right decisions for themselves, their families and ultimately society as a whole.

As soon as a liberty destroyer, like the overwhelming state, is allowed to interfere, lecture and direct beyond the absolute minimum, we all in the long-term tend to suffer.

Even during the current COVID-19 pandemic, recent events have warmed my liberty-loving soul for a number of reasons.

Firstly, Brexit. Remember that?

Well, negotiations between this country and the European Union have been continuing somewhat behind the scenes to establish the basics of our trading relationship with them after 31 December this year.

For the first time – in the guise of our Europe adviser – Sir David Frost – we have an intelligent and coherent negotiator. His background as a businessman and as the chief executive of the London Chamber of Commerce shows in the diligent way he has managed this country’s case and coped with Michel Barnier’s increasingly volatile behaviour.

Supporters of Brexit and democracy like me, are heartened to hear Sir David state that COVID-19 is no reason for the negotiations to be extended beyond the original deadline. Barnier’s bluster reveals the EU’s weakening hand

The EU has more to lose from imposing trade restrictions than we do and it is in their interests to agree a simple and straightforward trade treaty.

Over the last few weeks, the British Government has confirmed its global tariff schedule – the rates at which it will tax all imports into the UK. To be honest there is less to celebrate here at first sight.

Originally, this administration suggested that it would abolish or reduce 80% of import tariffs. In the end, it looks as if this will be closer to 60%. I doubt whether this is because there has been a philosophical shift towards protectionism: more due to the desperate need to raise additional taxes to pay for all the recent loans and bailout schemes.

Yet tariffs are taxes which hurt the poorest disproportionately and I believe there will be mounting pressure as the country starts to recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19 to extend the range of imported goods that become tariff-free.

Talking of the recovery, there has been much speculation as to the ‘shape’ of the economy’s bounceback from the various COVID-19 lockdown measures. 

Early indications suggest that it might be ‘V’ shaped after all – with consumer demand and business confidence picking up smartly.

I was pleased to read a few reputable pieces of evidence for this. Firstly, the June IHS Markit and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply report indicated that the downturn in the manufacturing sector eased in May as lockdown measures were gradually lifted.

Furthermore, the manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to 40.7 in May from 32.6 a month earlier, suggesting a pent-up desire and ability of businesses to roll their sleeves up and creating wealth again.

 

High street retail also recorded some good figures. Last Monday, the number of shoppers boomed by 31% across all retail destinations in England compared with previous week’s bank holiday Monday.

 

Confidence is the key. Which brings me, briefly, onto the Dominic Cummings affair. I largely sympathise with his dilemma and indeed wished’d had the guts to do what he did. My daughter has two infants and was struggling to cope. She could have come to live with us but she declined. I should have insisted but didn’t want to force her to do something she thought was not within the ‘rules’.

It’s clear that the furore was one manufactured to boost media ratings and to support various shrill leftist agitators. 

As a Libertarian, who places the individual and family at the centre of life, I’m pleased that Mr Cummings has seen off the bullies and can continue arguing for even more liberty-loving Government policies in the years ahead.

 

Ends.