Last night’s Brexit votes in the Commons
January 30, 2019
I was very glad to see the ‘Brady amendment’ passed by a clear majority in the House of Commons last night, which declared that MPs would support the government’s withdrawal agreement subject to changes to the Northern Ireland ‘backstop’. Given that this was the reason I could not support the government’s deal earlier this month, I voted for the amendment last night, and was one of the group of MPs that ensured it could be selected for discussion by putting my name to it before the debate.
For the first time the Commons has voted positively in favour of a plan to leave the EU under certain terms, rather than simply saying what it doesn’t want. It means the Prime Minister is strengthened in her ongoing negotiations with the EU, as she can demonstrate there is a majority in Parliament for a clear route forward to conclude the withdrawal process.
Ultimately an amended Withdrawal Agreement is the smoothest way to deliver the Brexit the country voted for, provides for an orderly exit with a transitional period to adjust, points the way to an EU-UK free trade agreement that maintains current economic links, and secures the rights of nationals on both sides of the Channel.
Yesterday represented a constructive move forward, which hopefully gets us closer to agreeing an exit deal. I will continue to listen closely to the views of York Outer residents in the crucial weeks ahead.
