THE newly-formed Wiltshire Alliance for Europe is calling on the county's MPs to help provide a "more realistic and fuller" Brexit deal.

Groups from Swindon, Devizes, Salisbiry and West Wilts have formed the alliance, signalling their "intent for the long fight back to our rightful place at the heart of European culture and politics".

In an open letter seen by the Adver, the group says: "We write on behalf of over 2,000 committed supporters in your constituencies. They’re campaigning for a Real Deal. That’s a deal that puts our relations with the European Union on a mutually beneficial footing.

"It’s also a deal that honours the commitments made by your party in last year’s election campaign. Will you?"

They are calling for a retention of today’s food, labour, and environmental standards, tariff-free trade to and from Europe, visa-less travel, the continent's education and apprenticeship schemes, partnerships for research and medicines and a strong United Kingdom.

"These elements should form part of any agreement with the EU," they add. "If the government really wanted to deliver its ambitious ‘oven-ready’ deal.

"In fact the Internal Market Bill, allowing the government to break international law, and the Agriculture Bill, threatening the UK’s regimes for food and environmental standards, suggest another option is still alive – flouncing out of the transition period with no deal.

"For us this flouts common sense. Why should any of your constituents vote for a party that deliberately throws overboard the advantages listed in our pledge?

"In reality only a cabal of deranged nihilists supports the no deal option. The overwhelming consensus is that no deal would leave the UK with...

:: No EU agreements on aviation, space, military, or security

:: No EU agreement for our strong financial services sector

:: Punitive tariffs with disrupted supplies and increased costs

:: Chaos and confusion at ports with the conversion of Kent from garden of England to lorry park of the south-east

:: Enfeebled legislation protecting our health, food, agriculture, environment and safety

:: The UK’s businesses confronting even greater challenges

:: Limited rights for EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the EU.

"We are in the final days of negotiations with the European Union. If only because there is now no hope of a fast-track trade deal with the US, it is essential that the government agrees a Real Deal with its EU counterparts.

"We ask you to lend your strong support."

The letter is signed y Brian Davey, Rick Page, Kate Freeman, Steve Rouse and Dr Sam Hollings.