Ashford MP Makes Eurotunnel Visit

Ashford’s Member of Parliament Sojan Joseph made a visit on Wednesday 21st August to the
Eurotunnel in Folkestone to see how new technology may be making changes in everything from
trade to transport.

Mr. Joseph is Ashford’s first Labour MP, and the first non-Conservative MP to win an election in
Ashford since 1929, so will focus on creating that link between Ashford’s communities and the new
Labour Government. One of Sojan Joseph’s targets will be to increase trade with the continent by
working with the new government to improve transport links to Europe from his Ashford
constituency.

On Thursday Sojan will be planning to ask a question Business and Trade to Helen Hayes regarding
how the UK can improve trading relationships with the European Union – linking to the changes in
the Channel Tunnel’s stops in Ashford.

After Brexit, long checks caused huge delays and lengthy queues on roads all around Kent, costing
businesses millions creating massive inconvenience to commuters – worsened by ‘Operation
Brock’, which Mr. Joseph participated in the talks to end. However, the new ‘Entry Exit System’
(EES) – an automatic recognition system, which will replace manual passport stamping – is hoped
to reduce the long waiting times for consumers and businesses accessing the continent. However,
due to the reliance on biometrics and not every user being on the system there are still some
concerns about delays whilst the transition is being made – concerns, which as Ashford’s
representative Mr. Joseph will be listening to and considering when opening a dialogue going
forward with the new government.

Keir Starmer and the new Labour Government have already begun opening discussions with
European leaders to “reset” Britain’s post-Brexit relations with Europe and the United Kingdom.
The government will not reverse Brexit but would like to see “deeper links” with the European
nations in certain areas – something which will be necessary if we are to see trade come back to
Ashford from the continent via the Channel Tunnel.
Quotes:
Sojan Joseph MP states:

“The Channel Tunnel provides massive amounts of trade and many
jobs for our communities in the Ashford constituency. Having a strong dialogue with anyone
who can bring opportunities from the rest of the country or from the continent will be key to
growing our local economy.”

John Keefe, the Chief Corporate and Public Affairs Officer for Getlink Group states:

“It was great to welcome newly elected Ashford MP Sojan Joseph to the Channel Tunnel today for a
demonstration of Eurotunnel’s preparations for new border controls.”