On Tuesday 15th January, the Government suffered the greatest parliamentary defeat of any Government in British history. Theresa May’s Brexit deal was defeated by a massive 432 votes to 202, a staggering majority of 230.
The Prime Minister’s deal was defeated for 3 reasons:
1. The deal on offer was not a better deal than the one was have now.
2. The deal did not fulfil the promises made to Leave voters during the 2016 EU referendum campaign.
3. The deal would lock the United Kingdom into negotiations with the EU for years to come.
At the time of writing, the Government is quite rightly facing a vote of no confidence. If Theresa May loses the vote of no confidence by two thirds of MPs voting against her, there will be an immediate General Election.
If the Prime Minister wins the vote, she will need to look again at what to do next.
The Prime Minister has said she is now prepared to reach out across Parliament to solve the issue, something she should have done months ago.
I will be looking for a solution which does not make our country poorer and I find it difficult to see what that solution can be if it is not the deal we have now as a member of the European Union.
I know the majority of people in Sedgefield constituency voted to leave the EU in 2016. I respect that decision. I have a duty, however, to outline what the issues facing our country are with Brexit and I feel that the mood in the country is changing. I can tell this from the hundreds of emails I’ve received and the number of constituents I’ve spoken to who want a final say on the Brexit outcome.
A ‘no-deal’ Brexit would be catastrophic for Newton Aycliffe, the North East and the country as a whole. When a Government needs to stockpile food and medicine and plan for massive traffic jams at our ports, you know a ‘no-deal’ Brexit is not a good idea.
Therefore I believe the Government should extend Article 50, negotiate a new deal and then put that deal to the country in a public vote.
In 2016, the referendum was run on myths and promises that could not be kept. The majority of those who pushed for Brexit, such as Boris Johnson, David Davis and Dominic Raab have all resigned from government because they couldn’t stick the course, leaving it to others to pick up the pieces. Nigel Farage resigned as UKIP leader the day after the referendum, not even he was prepared to stick around to help sort out what happens next.
If there was a public vote on any deal then the British people will have the facts before them. They should have the final say on whether we continue down the Brexit road or remain in the EU and reform it from within. I am still of the opinion, however, that whatever deal we secure it will not be as good as the one we have now. I honestly believe this is the best way forward. If the British people still want to leave the EU having considered all of the details and facts of the deal, so be it. This would be the final decision on the Brexit issue.
I believe the people should now have a final say. If a general election is not secured, then a final referendum should be held. I know people ‘just want it over’, that ‘Leave means Leave’ but if two years’ of negotiations have shown us anything, it’s that Brexit isn’t as easy as that and it is irresponsible of those politicians who pedal that view. At present, I can see Brexit dominating our national life for years to come. And I don’t think any of us want that.
I’m always keen to hear what you think as my constituents. How should the Prime Minister proceed now her deal has been defeated? Do you support a second referendum? If you voted to leave, what does leave mean to you? Please do get in touch and let me know your thoughts. You can write to me at ‘Office of Phil Wilson MP, 4 Beveridge Walkway, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, DL5 4EE’ or email me at phil.wilson.mp@parliament.uk.