Today in Parliament, yet another attempt will be made to debate the merits of Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union.—Huw Merriman, MP for Bexhaill and Battle, Wednesday 7 December 2016
The media are making this out to be some form of referendum by MPs on our status with the EU.
In my view, it is yet another attempt by the opposition to debate a matter which was settled by the will of the majority of people who voted in the referendum in June.
I will be voting for the motion which recognises that the people have had their say, that the majority wish should be respected as settled and that we will now be leaving the EU. Whether it is required today, or in an Act of Parliament following a decision by the Supreme Court, I will be giving my sanction for the Prime Minister to trigger Article 50. I do not see why I even need to register a vote for this to occur given that the public did so in June but if a legal technicality requires it then so be it. I do not see the need for a detailed plan to be produced by the Prime Minister. I take the view, borne by years working as a negotiator in my previous career, that negotiations of this magnitude should not be played out in public and held up as a result.
I regard this continued debate as a huge distraction. Any debate in Parliament as to the outcome of our withdrawal from the EU should be held once progress has been made. Whilst I used my own referendum vote to support remaining a member of the EU, I hope those who did likewise will similarly reflect that we need to move on and let the Government get on with the job. It must not distract Parliament from the many other important economic, security and social issues which our country faces.
Speaking in the debate today would somewhat undermine my plea hence I will confine my contribution to voting with the motion, supported by the Government, which best gives a mandate for the withdrawal process to commence.
