A CROSS-PARTY bid to call for a People’s Vote on Brexit has been unveiled with Evesham and Pershore political voices among 20 signatories calling for the British people to have the final say on the proposed deal to leave the European Union.
Senior Liberal Democrat, Green and Labour voices have all added their voices to a cross party show of strength to demand a People’s Vote on the final Brexit deal in a week which saw more political turmoil at Westminster after Prime Minister Theresa May unveiled her deal.
Despite winning the support of the majority of the cabinet, the Prime Minister saw a spate of resignations yesterday (Thursday) on a day of drama which has cast doubt on whether the Government’s proposed deal will win enough support in the House of Commons.
Should it fail, the spectre of leaving the European Union without a deal is still possible despite Mrs May’s claims the Government had ‘no plans for no deal.’
Campaigners for a People’s Vote have called on the British people to end the stalemate and the cross-party letter stresses evidence of ‘growing resistance to leaving the EU’ with increased awareness of how it would ‘seriously affect our place in the world as an important part of the world’s largest trading block’.
The impact on trade, workers’ rights, environmental regulation, research and the peace process in Ireland are also emphasised.
David Haslam, Chair of neighbouring Evesham Labour is among those to have signed the letter alongside Coun Margaret Rowley, chair of the Liberal Democrats in Mid Worcestershire and Neil Franks from the Green Party.
Pershore Liberal Democrats Coun Liz Tucker and Coun Charles Tucker are also among the voices on the cross party letter.
“We now know Brexit will cost us greatly and has the potential to be deeply damaging to our economy and to jobs, especially for young people substantial numbers of whom oppose Brexit,” the letter reads.
“We believe there must be a customs union and access to the Single Market, to keep trade – which we now know is deeply integrated – flowing with the EU, and avoid the kind of deregulation which will threaten workers’ rights, environmental regulation and our NHS.”
Evesham’s MP Nigel Huddleston said: “The deal is far from perfect but no deal was ever going to be. Deal-making is about compromise and I am comfortable with the outcome.
“As with the referendum, opinion on the deal in my constituency is divided.
“But I do believe that the deal does deliver on the vast majority of things that people who voted leave said they wanted. It takes back control of our borders and ends free movement, we stop paying billions of pounds to the EU each year, it ends the jurisdiction of the European Court (ECJ) and we come out of the common agricultural policy, and out of the common fisheries policy – and we avoid the need for a hard border in Northern Ireland.
“If we had been offered this deal by the EU a couple of years ago I suspect many of those who voted for Brexit would have accepted it enthusiastically.
“I think it also provides clarity and comfort to those who voted remain that we will continue to be strong friends and close trading partners with the EU.
“Moreover in the chamber of the House of Commons today I asked the Prime Minister directly if this deal was the best available and if it was in the best long term interests of my children.
“She turned around and said yes – and when the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom looks you in the eyes and makes a commitment like that it means something,” he added.
Pershore’s MP Harriett Baldwin told the Observer the draft deal published by Prime Minister would allow for the UK to withdraw from the European Union in a smooth and orderly way in March.
The Foreign Office minister stressed further negotiations would be held in the coming days and weeks with a full document placed before European leaders for approval at the end of the month.
“Every time I chat to local people, farmers and businesses, they tell me that what they want is certainty and this document is testament to the huge amount of work that has been put in to secure on key issues like citizen’s rights, immigration and trade,” she said.
“I don’t support a ‘No Deal’ scenario and I don’t support a second referendum. This document is a significant breakthrough and I am planning to support it, and Theresa May, when it comes before the House of Commons in due course.”
