Tag Archives: CPTPP

Stewart Tolley

The Liberal Democrats should oppose the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership

By Stewart Tolley | Tue 25th April 2023 - 2:00 pm

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Adam Smith in his seminal work The Wealth of Nations made the clear observation that trade ‘carried on with a neighbouring country is…more advantageous’ than that ‘with a distant country’ and he was even clearer that the most beneficial situation would come from ‘greater trade with continental Europe’ (Smith, 537).

Smith’s words are as true now as they were then but unfortunately the Conservative party (the supposed party of the economy who idealise Smith) have decided to ignore this. Ever since 2016 the determination to pursue hard Brexit has trumped all forms of economic credibility and common sense.

As with the imperialists of centuries ago who wanted to maximise trade with the Empire over our nearest neighbours the current crop of Tories have decided to pursue far flung trade deals to try and compensate for the barriers they have erected against the EU.

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Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged and | 22 Comments
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Recent Comments

  • Jason Connor
    Yes thanks for the analysis. I don't think it matters too much for the winning party if their % share falls. The Lib Dems have won seats recently with % share d...
  • Matt Wardman
    This is good commentary, though I rather disagree. Trump (and his manipulators on the "America Alone" US far right in his Government have had an agenda to re...
  • paul barker
    Thanks to the Team for the new, expanded coverage, much appreciated. In five of the six contests Reform had stood before & in each case their Vote Share fe...
  • Jana
    Looks like a night that would have pleased Restore who contested all 6 seats, with a huge 27.8% in Huncoat and other results between a low of 4.4% and 11.3%. ...
  • theakes
    Embarrassing....