Having listened carefully to the House of Commons debate regarding the Prime Minister’s UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement, I voted against this deal last night.
That arrangement would actually have ceded sovereignty, particularly through the so-called backstop arrangement, which the UK would not have been able to leave unilaterally. This deal did not deliver the Brexit which a majority of Crawley and national voters wanted in their referendum decision.
Tonight, Parliament will decide whether it has confidence in the Government. I will not vote to risk the progress which has taken place since 2010. Investment in our NHS which has seen services return to Crawley Hospital, with a new long-term plan recently published which will see an extra £394 million a week for our health service, has taken place under the Conservatives.
Employment has hit a record high under this Government and wages are rising at their fastest pace in a decade. While full and permanent jobs account for 75 per cent of employment there is still work to be done to ensure even more people have the security of a regular pay packet.
Throughout his whole political career, Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn has consistently aided those against the British national interest. I will not give him an opportunity to take these views to Downing Street.
His policies would most hurt those they claim to help; seeing increased taxes, driving wages down and reducing jobs and investment in our country.
Over the last week alone, the Labour Leader failed five times to say whether he would campaign to leave or remain in the European Union.
It should be remembered that over the last three years Parliament has been given its instructions from the British people; the referendum result with a clear decision in favour of leaving the EU, and the last general election where 589 MPs were elected on a pledge to deliver Brexit.
Theresa May’s EU deal was unambitious, but I will not risk the people’s Brexit, so will vote in Parliament tonight in favour of the Conservative Government of economic growth with a record of delivery.
Henry Smith MP
Crawley Constituency
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
01293 934554/020 7219 7043
henry.smith.mp@parliament.uk
www.henrysmith.info