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

Watch: Huw questions the Foreign Secretary on the Brexit negotiations

On the first day back after Parliamentary recess I questioned the Foreign Secretary on whether we have the resources to negotiate a good deal to leave the EU. The Foreign Secretary assured me that resources had been strengthened and increased in Brussels and across the capitals of the 27 EU member states with a commitment to leave at the end of October.

My vote

I’ve always supported delivering the referendum result and leaving on time on agreed terms with the EU. It is for this reason that I voted three times in Parliament for the Withdrawal Agreement (which would have taken us out of the EU by now), three times to keep No Deal on the table (to give the strongest negotiating hand) and failed to vote with the Government to extend Article 50 at the end of May. Failing to leave is not only causing many to lose faith in democracy and political promises, it makes it harder to turn a new page and focus on the domestic reforms which we need locally (with particular reference to social care). It also causes economic stagnation and uncertainty. 

Hopes for a Revised Brexit Agreement

Parliament has broken for the summer recess, meaning that my main place of work for the next six weeks will be across the 200 square miles of the Bexhill and Battle constituency.

Shutting down Parliament is no way to deliver democracy

This week Parliament has been debating whether it should be prorogued (i.e. shut itself down) during the month of October. The thought that employees would wish to close down their own place of work would be an unusual concept to most. It is to me as well.

End-game for our Prime Minister but still no Brexit

The turmoil in Parliament allows me to explain how legislation is passed by Parliament (or not as the case may be). This week, the Prime Minister unveiled plans to introduce the EU Withdrawal Agreement in the form of legislation.

Leaving the EU Update  - 17th May 2019

It now seems clear that there will be no cross-party agreement with Labour on leaving the EU. The Government intends to put the Withdrawal Agreement back to Parliament in early June.

EU Withdrawal Update - 2nd May 2019

I regret that I cannot bring you a meaningful update because, like you, I am waiting for talks to conclude between the Government and representatives from the Leader of the Opposition.

Finding a new solution to deliver Brexit

Our failure to leave the European Union by the end of March now sees us given another extension until the end of October to get an agreement through Parliament. If we can achieve this earlier, we avoid the humiliating feature of European Parliamentary elections in May.

EU Withdrawal Update

This latest EU update comes after the Prime Minister’s announcement that she will step down and my belief that if Parliament cannot deliver what we promised, then, with enormous disappointment, we need to look for another solution.