Amendments to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill

Thank you for contacting me about the EU (Withdrawal) Bill.

I have every confidence in ability of the Government to secure a deal that guarantees a deep and special partnership with the EU. The Prime Minister has said that she wants the best possible access to European markets for UK businesses and I wholeheartedly agree with this aim. It is in the interests of both sides to secure a good deal.

Parliament, as has repeatedly been promised, will have its say on the final withdrawal deal.

I do not believe, however, that there should be a second referendum. The referendum campaign was fought, turnout was high and the public has given its verdict. The Government is committed to delivering the result.

I also believe were a second referendum to be promised post the conclusion of the talks it would encourage the EU to offer worse terms on our future deal in the hope that the British people would change their minds. I don’t believe that they would and this could result in us leaving on the worst possible terms rather than with the good agreement which I firmly believe is achievable.

While I advocated remaining in the Referendum campaign on the basis of our existing relationship and the improvements offered by the EU to Mr Cameron I committed throughout that I would implement the Referendum decision and did so again in the 2017 election campaign.

I also do not believe that the UK should continue its membership of the EU's single market after leaving the EU. Remaining a member would require the UK to continue accepting freedom of movement and we would also have to accept the EU's rules and regulations with no say over them, I don’t believe this is what the country voted for in June 2016.

The UK and the EU have set out how reciprocal rights for British citizens in the EU and EU citizens living in the UK are being secured. The rights of EU citizens in the UK will be upheld by UK law in the Withdrawal and Implementation Bill.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.