Next week sees the European Parliamentary elections on Thursday 23 May.
That we have to take part in them, when we should have left the EU on
29 March is a failure of our political establishment to enact the will of the
British people, as expressed in the referendum result in 2016.
Not only did we have the referendum result in 2016 but since then
Members of Parliament have voted overwhelmingly, in 2017, for us to leave the
EU on 29 March.
It remains a huge source of frustration to me that we have not left
yet, and this is shared by many of you who I speak to around Mid-Cornwall when
I am out and about every week.
The message I hear, is, “Parliament asked us, we gave them our
answer. We trusted Parliament to deliver the result of the Referendum – why is
this not happening?”
People are rightly upset about this, people who voted leave or remain
in 2016, as they respect the democratic vote and expect Parliament to just get
on with it and leave. The delay until 31 October that we now have, has done
nothing but prolong the uncertainties around what Brexit will look like for
another few months, while doing nothing to stop the logjam in Parliament about
how we come to a solution.
I of course understand the frustration that many will feel and that they
will wish to take this opportunity to make their feeling known on Brexit in the
EU election. I know that many will see
this election as a way of re-enforcing the result of the referendum. If the
vote is a clear win for parties that are committed to respecting the referendum
and leaving the EU and it will kill off any talk of a 2nd
Referendum.
However, as always, however you decide to vote I encourage everyone to
take part in this election and cast your vote. The right to vote was hard won
and we should never take it for granted.
I will of course be voting Conservative in next Thursday’s election as
our party remains committed to taking the UK out of the EU. Elected
Conservative MEPs will use what little time we have in the EU (the European
Parliament does not even sit until July, and has August off), to represent the
best interests of Britain and ensure that they do their bit in the EU to vote
for us to leave when the time comes.
Regardless of the results of the European Elections, I will be working
in Parliament to see us leave the EU as soon as possible, hopefully before 31
October, if not before the MEPs take their seats, and then move on to tackle
the other pressing issues this country faces post Brexit.
My team and I are here to serve the whole constituency
and work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone needing
support. The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm (no
appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my assistance on
then please, either visit the office or contact me on either 01726 829379 or
office@stevedouble.org.uk. Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only,
advice surgeries across the constituency. Dates of these can be found at:
www.stevedouble.org.uk/events
