Yesterday the Prime Minister announced her new attempt to deliver Brexit with her proposed EU Withdrawal Bill and this was followed up by her statement to the House of Commons today.
I am very disappointed with the proposals and the approach taken by the PM and the Cabinet. Whilst I have supported the PM in her endeavours and voted for her Withdrawal Agreement on the last two occasions, I cannot support this Bill. Remaining in a Customs Union and holding a confirmatory vote are unacceptable and contrary to what we have continued to oppose over the past three years of negotiations. These measures would not deliver Brexit and would instead frustrate the process even further.
Our 2017 Manifesto commitment stated we would leave the Customs Union and be able to negotiate our own trade deals as an independent country. In addition, moving towards the Labour Party and their policies is, I believe, a total betrayal of the result of the 2016 Referendum and the clear majority who voted to Leave the EU. Too many compromises have been to the UK’s detriment, despite our agreement to a £39bn divorce bill.
We promised Brexit and we must deliver.