Leaving the EU

Brexit

The UK is leaving the EU. This decision was made by the majority of those who voted in the EU referendum. Parliament and Government will now deliver the will of the people. In every vote in Parliament, I have respected the result and sought to give Theresa May the strongest hand to negotiate a good settlement, and new trading relationship, with the 27 remaining EU members. Regardless of votes case last June, it has to be in the interest of everyone in the UK that we move forward and focus on getting the best deal for our nation.

During the EU referendum, I wrote to all of my constituents to provide information and an invite to eight public meetings across the constituency. During these meetings, I explained, with balance, what the legal process would be if the UK voted to leave and what reforms would occur if we remained. I took this stance because I strongly believe that referendums are for the people, and not politicians, to influence. By remaining balanced, I was able to help, rather than lecture. When it came to it, I cast my vote to remain and made this public on polling day. Having not campaigned for one side or the other, I was always going to be entirely comfortable carrying out the mandate of the side which gained the most votes.

With Article 50 having been triggered, Parliament is now in the process of ensuring that all EU laws and rights which exist for UK citizens are transferred to UK legislation so, on the day we leave the EU, all rights will remain as previously granted. This bill is called the EU Withdrawal Bill. You can find more news, published articles and information on the EU Withdrawal Bill and the UK’s negotiations with the EU below:

 

News

Local MP Welcomes Reversal of EU Citizens Charge

Bexhill and Battle MP, Huw Merriman, has welcomed the announcement from the Prime Minister that the £65 charge for citizens from the European Union to gain their rights to remain in the UK after Brexit have been reduced to zero.

Huw calls on Prime Minister to help local EU Citizens

Bexhill and Battle MP, Huw Merriman, this week spoke of his constituents when calling on the Prime Minister to reduce the proposed £65 charge which EU citizens will have to pay to apply to gain their rights of UK residence when the UK leaves the EU. 

EU Withdrawal Agreement - Slides from public meetings

A number of constituents have requested a copy of the slides from my recent public meetings on the EU WIthdrawal Agreement.

If these are of interest, they are attached at the bottom of this page

My decision for the EU Meaningful Vote

Next Tuesday, MPs will vote to either accept, or reject, the Prime Minister’s agreement with the EU. If approved, this will set out our terms for exiting the EU and the work will commence for fixing our future relationship. If rejected then the options are unclear.

EU Drama plays out in Parliament

It’s been another tumultuous week in Parliament. Last week, the Prime Minister published the draft EU Withdrawal Agreement. Over 585 pages, this document sets out how the UK will leave the European Union.

Local MP Holds EU Withdrawal Agreement Events

Huw Merriman, MP for the Bexhill and Battle constituency, is inviting constituents to a Brexit update and a chance to express views on the proposed EU Withdrawal Agreement.

Leaving the EU - Update 14 November 2018

Like many constituents, I am awaiting publication of the agreement terms and will then study every page of the documents in order to form a conclusion. I will be looking at the Withdrawal Agreement (our exit terms) and the Future Framework (our future trade and relationship terms) as a package.

Exiting the EU - Update 22 October 2018

A number of constituents have written to me in the past couple of weeks to let me known their feelings with regard to the status of the UK leaving the European Union. This update is intended to respond to all those who have contacted me, whether on one side of the debate (calling for me to support a second referendum) or the other (urging me to reject any deal which gives too much ground to the EU) or somewhere in between. My communications suggest that correspondents are split on preference in the same way that Parliament is. 

MP brings EU Debate to Bexhill and Battle 

Huw held public meetings last week in Bexhill, Battle and Heathfield to explain the process of the UK leaving the EU and discuss the options with residents. The meetings were attended by over 500 people who gave their views to their MP.