jeffsmithmp

My view on the Brexit withdrawal agreement and the way forward

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I believe in internationalism, and that our future should be at the heart of Europe. I campaigned strongly for a remain vote in the EU referendum.

In representing the voters and interests of Manchester Withington, I am conscious that our area voted with a large majority to remain. I voted against invoking Article 50 and believe ‘no Brexit’ is preferable to the bad deal that the government has negotiated.

The Labour Party managed to secure a meaningful vote in parliament on the Government’s final withdrawal agreement deal, and set out six tests for what it wanted to see from the final deal.

The withdrawal agreement that the government has announced does not meet the six tests, and Labour have confirmed that we will be voting against it. Following the recent debate on Brexit at Labour Party Conference, it was confirmed that Labour’s position is that all options should be on the table if the withdrawal agreement deal is not supported by Parliament, including a public vote with the option to remain in the EU.

I do not believe the vote on the final deal should be a ‘take it or leave it’ choice between this bad deal or crashing out of the EU without a deal.

I believe a no-deal Brexit would be a disaster for our economy and the Government does not have the right to plunge our country into chaos because of its own failure to negotiate a deal which Parliament can support.

I believe that there is no majority in Parliament for a “no deal” Brexit, and if the government’s deal is voted down, I will be supporting moves in Parliament to ensure that “no deal” is not the outcome of the vote.

As well as membership of institutions like the customs union and single market being key to our economy, I believe that the opportunities gained from being an EU member state are vital in exposing us to different cultures and experiences, and that we should work to maintain these opportunities for future generations.

My view continues to be that the best way of ensuring we retain these benefits is to remain in the EU.

I believe that a decision to remain in the EU would need to have democratic legitimacy. I therefore think there is a convincing argument for a “people’s vote”, as I believe that the negative consequences of leaving are now much better understood than when the original referendum took place.  I believe this should be a proper choice, including the option to remain in the EU.

I hope that this will be the outcome of the Parliamentary process, and in the event of a people’s vote I will be campaigning strongly to remain in the E.U.

9 comments

  2. Well done Jeff. Now please tell Jeremy Corbyn to get off the fence and make it clear that the EU is our friend and we should stay in.

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    • That’s great Jeff but please mither the leadership to take an active role in reforming the neoliberal juggernaut that is the EU as well a helping to implement a new multinationalism of the truly progressive left around the world. Neoliberalism is a cancer that has not only resulted in the divisions of Brexit here, in the UK, but is illustrated by the control of the WTO in representing the interests of vast multinational companies and the richest few in destructive, unsustainable trade deals around the world.

      Many thanks.

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  3. Please do so. Since the Brexit referendum the anger and fear of what lies ahead increases by the day. Opportunities for the next generation and beyond are being trampled on to satisfy those people who were led to believe that things can only get better once out of the EU by arrogant and rich liars. Whose futures and fortunes won’t be touched by the withdrawal.

    My son (21) and I are fortunate to be eligible to get Irish passports which I am currently applying for.

    Please keep up the pressure to remain in the European Union. Thank you.

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  5. I agree with you. I also agree with previous comment. I don’t believe that JC is never going to get a GE due to fixed parliament laws. How can a 2 nd referendum unite the Country , surely we should have a law that for a referendum to pass it must have at least 66% to overturn any legislation?Italy has loads of referenda but are not allowed to be taken on any International Treaties . Makes sense. Remaining in the EU is best solution

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  6. Thank you Jeff – parliament desperately needs more people with their heads screwed on like yours. I could say the same about the Labour leadership – I am tearing my hair out over Corbyn’s reluctance to provide any alternative vision to May’s deal, and his lack of support for a People’s Vote, which seems the only credible way out of such a mess. But I don’t see your name here (unless you added your name later) https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jan/16/labour-mps-declare-support-for-second-brexit-referendum . PLEASE do more to oppose the Brexit disaster we seem to be heading directly towards – Labour needs to offer effective opposition. At the moment they are not, and it is making me question my allegiances!

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