Thank you very much for writing to me with your views on Brexit.
I have been consulting extensively with constituents and businesses in High Peak over the last year to determine local views on the impact of the different proposals for our deal with the European Union.
On Friday I held a Business Summit in Buxton of businesses from across the constituency.* Those businesses were unanimous in their view that they would prefer us to be in the EU than out because of its benefits for trade, travel and certainty.*
They were opposed to Theresa May’s deal because the transition phase only lasts for 21 months, and the future relationship agreement is so hazy that it will need to be negotiated largely from scratch, meaning another 2 years or more of uncertainty, which is the last thing businesses want.
I also held public meetings in Buxton and Glossop on Friday and Saturday, which were attended by around 200 people.* Thank you very much if you were able to come along, I hope you found it useful.
I heard a wide range of views on immigration and free movement, the impact of Brexit on our economy, on local jobs, on investment, devolution and climate change.
No speakers approved of Theresa May’s deal and pointed out it gives us neither control over our borders and laws, nor the full benefits of the Customs Union and single market.* The vast majority rejected the government’s proposed two options of its deal or no deal and pointed out that we are better off in the EU.
It was very useful for me to hear from so many people before all the many decisions over the next couple of months.
On the basis of the evidence of what the proposed deal offers and local views, especially those of local businesses, I will be voting against the proposed deal.
All of the evidence, including the economic analysis published this week, shows that No Deal will lead to chaos at our borders, vital industries leaving the UK, and a huge hit to our economy.* That will hurt our public services and people in poverty even more, which are two key local priorities.* No Deal was also rejected as disastrous by local businesses, as national business organisations have also done, so I could not support the option of No Deal.
*The way forward from here will be not be easy as Parliament tries to find a workable route out of this.* That’s why I have asked constituents what they want to see at the end of the Brexit process.
Completing my Brexit survey, as more than 1,000 people have already done, will give me a more detailed view of what my constituents want from the Brexit process. *I have also included 10 key questions on other issues, which I am determined not to lose sight of, in spite of all the pressure over Brexit.
