From Paul Minter
who describes himself as a loyal member of the Bexhill and Battle Conservative Asocation
As I understand Mr Merriman’s position, Conservative MP for Bexhill and Battle, he believes Britain should Remain in Europe. However because the referendum should be honoured, he has voted to Leave in Parliament, since he himself voted to Remain in that referendum.
If we get a General election before the end of the year, this is certainly a weakness opposition parties can exploit. The Brexit party candidate can obviously say that they originally voted Leave and still genuinely want to Leave, whereas Mr Merriman is a Remainer voting against what he believes is best for Britain.
A Liberal party candidate can say we are 100% Remain, revoke article 50, and Mr Merriman agrees we are right in this position, but won’t vote for it. The Labour Party and Greens could have a Rother Alliance combined candidate with the Lib Dem’s and be the solid combined Remain candidate, pointing out Mr Merriman agrees with them.
Were we to have a second referendum before a General election and Remain side won, even by the slimmest majority, where would that leave Mr Merriman? Would he then begin voting Remain in parliament to honour the new referendum. Where would that put the Conservative party nationally? You assume they would want to honour democracy, but the majority of Conservatives are Leave voters.
Until a strong candidate is put up against Mr Merriman, if one is ever found, he will easily win Bexhill and Battle again. But it would be interesting to see what he does if the Remain side win a second referendum, or even if Remain parties won a majority in Parliament and formed a Remain government. Would he then begin voting Remain with them in Parliament?
Mr Merriman naturally belongs on the Remain side of the Brexit argument, but will opposition parties combine and use this against him?
Paul Minter
Bexhill
