My votes on Brexit

28th March, 2019

Following the failure of Theresa May to build a consensus on the UK’s future relationship with the European Union, Parliament has voted to hold a series of ‘indicative’ votes to try to find a solution to this crisis. Below is how I voted on those indicative votes.

		Result
Leaving the EU without a deal on April 12	Against	Yes: 160, No: 400
Negotiating a new customs union with the EU	For	Yes: 264, No: 272
Creating a permanent customs union and close alignment to the single market, along with more protections for workers’ rights	For	Yes: 237, No: 307
Holding a second referendum on the withdrawal agreement	For	Yes: 268, No: 295
Negotiating a two year ‘standstill arrangement’ – a tariff-free agreement with the EU, during which time the UK will continue to pay towards the EU budget	Against	Yes: 139, No: 422

The referendum result was counted by local authority area, with Newport East consisting of communities in Newport, where a majority voted to leave the EU, and Monmouthshire, where a majority voted to remain. I voted to trigger Article 50, respecting the referendum result, but have consistently supported a sensible approach that would not hurt our jobs and livelihoods locally. I have voted against no deal as I feel it would be hugely damaging to Newport East. The Government’s own impact studies show that Wales would be among the areas hardest hit by the effects of a no-deal Brexit.

Last night the votes were about trying to work together to find a way out of the current impasse, and I voted in line with my belief that we must avoid a hard Brexit on behalf of those constituents who would be impacted.

Clearly this process of finding a way forward is ongoing with more votes expected over the coming days.