A number of constituents have sent me campaign
emails entitled variously Proroguing Parliament, Suspending parliament and Stop
no Deal Brexit. All have the same wording in the body of the email and emanate
from 38 degrees org.
The debate over leaving the EU has been contentious
and I have genuine respect for those who would rather see us stay in the EU.
The referendum settled that and Article 50 passed by an overwhelming majority
of the House sets out that we will seek a deal with the EU but if that proves
impossible then we would leave with no deal. My preference is we find a deal
that is fair to all. However the default must be that we are ready to leave
with no deal should that prove unachievable – not least because it is a
critical element of the negotiations that we are ready to do so.
Those that seek to delay or prevent the democratic
decision of the 2016 referendum from being enacted are quite prepared to see
Parliament, through the Speaker, overturn long established procedures of the
House of Commons in order to achieve their aims. These same people seem
horrified when those who seek to respect the referendum result consider doing
likewise.
Whilst I would not want to see any decision
to prorogue Parliament taken lightly, the government must have all means at its
disposal to ensure the referendum result is honoured.
