WORCESTER MP Robin Walker has reiterated his support for leaving the European Union and claimed a controversial bill which asks the Prime Minister to ask for an extension to negotiations ‘leaves no clear plan for how to get a deal’
Despite Mr Walker’s opposition, the bill recieved Royal Assent from HM the Queen on Monday (September 9) meaning Boris Johnson now must seek an extension to negotiations from October 31 to the end of January next year should no exit deal be agreed by the end of next month.
However as Parliament was brought to an end this week to allow for a new Queen’s Speech, the Prime Minister remained defiant he would not seek any extension to the Article 50 negotiations which began in March 2017.
“Those MPs from across the House who supported this extension have not yet been able to explain what the extension would be used for or how it would help resolve the deadlock – except to overturn the result of the referendum,” Mr Walker claimed.
“The Prime Minister meanwhile has been clear he is pursuing a deal with the EU and will bring one back to the House of Commons to debate following the European Council in mid-October.
“Worcester voted by a clear majority to leave the European Union and many of those voters find it frustrating that three years on the UK remains a member state.
“In Worcester more than 29,000 people voted to leave the EU and I have made it repeatedly made clear I intend to respect that vote,” he added.
The former Brexit minister backed former Prime Minister Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement on each occasion it was brought before the House of Commons, though it was defeated each time.
“Leaving without a deal would be preferable to a bad deal or not leaving at all. The British people must be able to trust their politicians to deliver on their promises, and the Prime Minister has made it clear that the UK will be leaving the EU on October 31,” he said.
“I am strongly supportive of the argument that the best way of getting a deal done is to be prepared to leave without one and I have had strong support from constituents on the doorsteps of Worcester for this approach.”
