Priti stands firm and votes to deliver Brexit
Witham MP Priti Patel has voted in the House of Commons throughout this week to deliver Brexit and support the decision taken by the British people to leave the EU. On Monday, 1 April 2019, during a number of indicative votes, Priti opposed proposals to keep the UK under the control of the EU through membership of the Customs Union and Single Market. Priti also opposed proposals to extend Article 50 and revoke article 50, which would risk the UK staying in the EU indefinitely. On Wednesday, 3 April 2019, Priti opposed efforts by MPs to block Brexit by rushing a new law through Parliament to defy the will of the people. This new law was passed by one vote and attempts to prevent Brexit happening without a deal with the EU, regardless of how bad the deal is.
Priti said: “Leave means leave and it is shameful that MPs in Parliament and in Government are desperately trying to force through changes to defy the 2016 Referendum result. MPs who promised to abide by the Referendum decision and were elected on mandates to deliver Brexit are now letting down the British people and undermining trust in politics.”
“We promised the people we would be leaving the EU on 29 March and every day longer that we remain in the EU is a day too many. Membership of the EU is damaging to our national interests and prevents us from being the independent, free, democratic and self-governing country that the public voted for in the Referendum.”
“The deal proposed by the EU is not Brexit. It keeps the UK under the thumb of Brussels with the EU continuing to impose laws on our country. It creates uncertainty about the future, prevents us having an independent trade policy and risks the break-up of the United Kingdom. This is why it should be opposed and, with the EU unwilling to change the deal, I cannot support it.”
“I was elected on a mandate to deliver Brexit so that we can take back control of our borders, money and laws. The people of this country and in the Witham constituency want to embrace the freedoms and democracy that comes from leaving the EU and I will stand by them and defend their interests.”
Priti also commented on the decision taken by the Prime Minister and Cabinet on Tuesday, 2 April 2019, to leave the EU with a deal and to open up talks with Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn to try to secure support for the discredited Withdrawal Agreement and future relationship. Priti said: “This is humiliating for our country and hugely divisive. After putting forward a Withdrawal Agreement designed by the EU for the EU, the Government is now handing over its Brexit policy to a man who is a danger to our country.”
“We need to see leadership and the Government should instead start showing confidence and trust in the people. We still have a chance to leave the EU next Friday, 12 April 2019, and the Government must not miss this opportunity to deliver on the promises which we made to the British people.”