PERSHORE’s MP has labelled the seizing of control of the Parliamentary order paper by MPs as a ‘ridiculous bit of virtue signalling’ and demanded they back the deal to take the UK out of the European Union.
Harriett Baldwin launched the blistering attack on her fellow parliamenterians after a series of votes on alternative approaches in the House of Commons last night (Wednesday).
No alternative plan secured a majority, with MPs being asked to vote on ideas ranging from staying in the customs union to revoking Article 50 and holding a second referendum.
The West Worcestershire MP voted against five of the proposals and abstained on three others and said Parliament should respect the result of the 2016 referendum and leave in an orderly manner, offering certainty to local people and businesses.
“MPs need to face facts: the legal default is we are leaving without a deal unless we can unite around a deal or revoke Article 50 – something that would be an insult to the 17.4 million people who voted leave,” she said.
“Colleagues from all sides should join me and back the negotiated Withdrawal Agreement which Theresa May has worked to deliver. The people West Worcestershire tell me what they want is certainty, in particular the farmers and many businesses who trade with Europe and want to plan ahead.”
Mrs Baldwin revealed she has been asked her thoughts on a second referendum by constituents but said she would not support another poll.
“I feel this would be hugely divisive for the country and no one seems to be sure what question would be asked,” she said.
“I firmly hope Parliamentarians can now come together to secure a majority for the withdrawal agreement as soon as possible.”
Evesham’s MP Nigel Huddleston revealed he voted against revoking Article 50; holding a confirmatory public vote; and on Labour’s proposals which, according to the Mid Worcestershire MP, would not be perceived as Brexit.
“After careful consideration, I abstained on the remaining five options which included various alternative forms of Brexit including a Customs Union, two ‘soft’ Brexit options involving the EEA/EFTA; and a no deal and a managed no deal option,” he said.
“All of these options are in my opinion worse than the Prime Ministers negotiated deal, and would involve either not being able to negotiate our own trade deals, staying in some elements of the single market or leaving without a deal which I have previously expressed concerns about.
“Given there is still a possibility of getting the Prime Minister’s own deal through I did not want to dilute the focus on getting that, better, option through the House of Commons first.”
Mr Huddleston said he recognised the Prime Minister’s deal may not be approved by Parliament and said he would consider one of the five options he abstained on.
“At this moment in time, the option of the Customs Union is perhaps the least worst of the alternatives and when we have a second round of indicative votes, I may be inclined to support it.
“This option would restrict our ability to conduct our own international trade deals, but all of the options involve a compromise of some sorts and would potentially also be different from the manifesto I stood on in the 2017 general election,” he added.
