OVER recent weeks, I have received thousands of emails from residents expressing their views and asking questions about the Brexit process and the debates taking place in Parliament.
I recognise that Rugby and Bulkington voted decisively to leave in the referendum in 2016, and I have always had in mind my role as a representative of my constituents here, with a responsibility to consider their broader interests as we leave the EU.
On all three occasions that the Withdrawal Agreement and Future Declaration negotiated by the Prime Minister has come before Parliament, I have voted to support it.
The Withdrawal Agreement delivers on the result of the referendum by enabling the UK the take back our money, our laws and our borders and delivers certainty for EU nationals living in the UK, UK nationals living in the EU and for our business community.
Support for the Prime Minister’s deal enables the transitional period to begin and for more substantial negotiations on our future relationship to take place. I firmly believe that it represents a good deal to enable us to move forward with an ambitious future trading relationship.
Regrettably, it has not proved possible to agree this deal in the House of Commons and Parliament has firmly ruled out leaving without a deal. I have never believed that leaving the European Union without a deal, and without meaningful transitional arrangements, would be in our country’s interests.
There would undoubtedly be a great economic shock and the evidence I have heard from a variety of industries and businesses in front of the BEIS Committee over the past two years makes it clear that a great many businesses, who rely on integrated supply chains and frictionless trade with Europe, say that they simply would not survive a No Deal.
I believe that it is vital to listen to the voice of business because businesses create a strong economy to provide the jobs and the wealth which enables Government to deliver the services that we all need.
Parliament must now say what it is in favour of and this must involve all parties agreeing to a deal which will enable us to leave the European Union in an orderly fashion.
The Prime Minister will now sit down with the Leader of the Opposition to identify a future relationship with the European Union that would command the support of the House of Commons.
I have always said that I will support a future relationship which protects our strong trading links between the UK and the EU, and ensures that we can continue to prosper outside of the European Union.
Mark Pawsey MP
