Statement by TUV South Down Assembly candidate Henry Reilly:
“Another day and another scare story about Brexit – this time by Davy Stockbrokers warning that Northern Ireland trade with the Republic will be harmed in the event of us leaving the EU. However, even they admit that an arrangement “similar to that with Switzerland is likely” to emerge between the UK and the EU member states, a line which hasn’t made its way into many of the early press reports.
“In truth, Brexit will open up much greater trade for Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
“We will again be able, as part of a major world economy, to make our own trade agreements across the globe, unfettered by Brussels. At present we are prevented from doing so due to our EU membership. It is ridiculous when one considers that the 5th largest economy on earth cannot make a trade deal on its own!
“If the UK became independent again we could also capitalise on our historic ties with the Commonwealth and strike deals with the likes of India and Australia – parts of the world where our trade has dropped since we joined the EU.
“Those who engage in scare stories about the impact on trade of an EU exit need to expand their vision and not be so narrow. Brexit will not mean an end to trading with the EU. And it is important to remember that the EU is a shrinking market. The growth is in other parts of the globe.
“There is a whole world beyond the borders of the EU. We can only take advantage of the opportunities it presents if we vote to leave on 23rd June.”