Boris, Bill and Gerry: Buddies after Brexit

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has talked up New Zealand’s relationship with the UK and says Kiwis have nothing to fear from Brexit.

He has also indicated New Zealand will be “at or near the front of the queue” when it comes to negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) – but that will still be years away.

Speaking at a joint press conference after bilateral talks with Prime Minister Bill English and Foreign Affairs Minister Gerry Brownlee this morning, Mr Johnson says there was a lot the parties agreed on.

“To an almost embarrassing degree, there was a total failure to disagree on any point of substance. These are two countries that really do think on the same lines on so many of the issues that matter to our people and to our electorates.”

Messrs Brownlee and Johnson established a “people-to-people dialogue,” which they say will provide a forum for discussing a wide range of issues of “mutual interest.”

“This includes improving the opportunities that exist for our citizens to live and work in each other’s countries.”

Mr Johnson joked about the name, asking “how could you have a dialogue that doesn’t involve people?”

“I suppose it’s distinct from a bureaucrat to bureaucrat dialogue or a trade representative to trade representative dialogue.”

Mr Brownlee chimed in, saying it’s a “diplomatic term that generally doesn’t recognise politicians.” Mr Johnson hit back, saying “I think it’s designed to exclude you and me and maybe that’s a good thing, Gerry.”

He says he hopes it will strengthen, “if that were at all possible” the relationship between our two countries and we’re going to consider measures on secondment and exchanges, with a view to firming up what is already a very, very profound friendship.”

The people-to-people dialogue will be convened at officials’ level at six monthly intervals. It will complement the existing trade policy dialogue and strategic dialogue on foreign policy.

Asked about any potential issue for New Zealanders wanting to work and live in the UK as a result of Brexit, Mr Johnson indicated there was nothing to be worried about.

He says although he thinks immigration and attracting talent is important, it’s important that a government manages and controls it and “that was what Brexit was about.”

“That does not mean we’re going to make life more difficult for New Zealanders – on the contrary, we massively value you. We love Kiwis coming to our country.”

How soon for the FTA?
In terms of establishing a free-trade deal (FTA), Mr Johnson didn’t have much new to add to what he had already said.

Last night, he said New Zealand is “at or near the front of the queue” when Brexit is complete when it comes to an FTA.

“We're turning out. We want to engage with the world in a way we haven't been able to do for 43 years.

“And we want to engage above all with our old friends and partners like New Zealand.”

The UK is not allowed to sign FTAs with other countries until it has formally left the EU, which is expected to occur in March 2019.

Mr Johnson stressed the UK is looking to negotiate “great deals that work for everyone.”

“The key thing to stress is no party is going to be worse off – no party in the deal we’re going to do is going to be worse off.”

Speaking to media last night, Mr English said New Zealand’s ease of doing business and negotiating an FTA would help the country be high up on the UK’s list of countries it wants to hammer out a deal with after Brexit is complete

“We aren’t as economically significant as other [countries] but we’re easier to deal with and we would want to encourage the view that, if the UK needs to be able to establish early its ability to do FTAs, then New Zealand is a candidate for that.”