This week Parliament is having its Easter recess – albeit a
week late, and it is good to be able to spend time in the constituency, being
out in the community, meeting local people and listening to what you have to
say.
Clearly one subject continues to dominate these
conversations as people want to know the latest situation on Brexit and let me
know their views and hear mine.
Last week we saw another delay to the date that we are due
to leave the EU. This time until the 31st October at the latest.
However, the EU left the door open for us to leave earlier if a Withdrawal
Agreement can be approved by Parliament.
Like many I am very disappointed that we have not left the
EU on schedule. It is an ongoing failure of the Political Establishment, here
and in the EU, that has resulted in the current impasse. A delay is the last
thing our country needs. Not only will it continue the uncertainty for
businesses who are crying out for a decision and clarity on the way forward so
they can plan and adapt as needed, but this delay will mean that Parliament
will continue to be paralysed with Brexit dominating the political debate for
more weeks and possibly months. It is also clear from my mail box that this
delay is deepening the disillusionment and sense of betrayal that many are
feeling.
If we cannot agree a deal to leave by 22nd May we
will also have to participate in the EU Parliamentary elections. Almost three
years after the UK voted to leave the EU this will seem totally unacceptable to
many people, it does to me.
The reality is that the solution to this situation is not
more time. We have had more than two years to debate and find a way for us to
leave the EU. What we need is the political will to deliver on the result of
the referendum and real, bold leadership to find a way forward. Sadly, too many
MPs have been guilty of publicly saying they respect the result of the
referendum whilst working behind the scenes to do all they can to prevent it
from happening.
The past two years has been marked by those who have sought
to undermine the negotiations in order to delay, dilute and ultimately prevent
us from leaving. It is only once we are through this and the political history
of this period is written that I believe we will really understand just how
damaging to our national interests, and democracy, those who have fought
against the democratic decision our country made will be fully known and
assessed.
I believe it is time for MPs from all parties to come clean
with the British people and be honest about their true intentions. For me, I
remain committed to doing all I can to ensure we leave as soon as possible. I
will particularly be focusing my efforts to ensure we can agree a deal for us
to leave in time for us to not have to participate in the EU elections. I will
be urging the Prime Minister to giving Parliament the opportunity to secure
this as early as possible once Parliament returns after Easter and urging all
MPs who say they are committed to honouring the referendum result to support
the Withdrawal Agreement and getting us out of the EU.
