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‘Brexit is a consequence of big problems in Britain’
Holding a ‘People’s Vote’ on Britain’s withdrawal from the EU comes with huge risk for remainers, says Thangam Debbonaire.
The Bristol West MP has reiterated her position on the subject ahead of a public meeting on Saturday and in the wake of criticism from those who argue she should back a second Brexit referendum.
James Cox, the Lib Dem contender for Debbonaire’s constituency seat, has called on her to support a ‘People’s Vote’, begging the MP in a recent open letter to “take this opportunity to be bold and do what’s right”.
is needed now More than ever
Debbonaire has hit back at opponents, arguing that divisions among those who voted remain is not helping the situation.
Speaking to Bristol24/7 this week, Debbonaire said: “I do not want to leave the EU, I think it’s a very bad idea, but if we are going to do so, I want it to be as good a relationship as possible.”
She believes that Brexit is a consequence of far bigger problems in Britain, and across the world and that, amidst all the chaos of negotiations, none of these have been solved or addressed.
“My view that we have to accept we lost the last referendum still stands,” continues the Labour MP.
“None of the cheating and the lies [peddled during the referendum campaign] have gone away. The Government has basically washed its hands of it. It’s a very high risk for remainers to back a ‘People’s Vote’.”
Debbonaire says that she isn’t ruling out a second Brexit referendum and “is open to any and all possible ways through this”, but she argues that another leave vote could result in Britain’s chances of staying in the customs union and Single Market being lost forever.
“As a remainer MP representing a remain constituency, it would be irresponsible of me not to scrutinise every possible option,” she continues.
“If there was a People’s Vote and remain is one option, what is the other option? Would it be deal or no deal?
“Businesses are saying to me they are really nervous about no deal. They may prefer a deal, even if it’s flawed. I want us to hang on to the possibility that our next best option is staying in the customs union and Single Market – if we lose the referendum again, we have kicked it out forever.
“In order to be sure, we should support a People’s Vote, I would like to know that somebody has a plan for us to win.”
Debbonaire met Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in Bristol this week
The Labour Party has set six tests and if the Prime Minister’s final Brexit deal fails any of these, the party’s MPs are expected to vote against it.
If the deal is rejected, a People’s Vote could be one of the options available, but Debbonaire points out that to get to that point, MPs would have already rejected a deal – meaning the options on the ballot paper would be to remain in the EU, or a ‘hard Brexit’.
“The risk that we would get another leave vote are high in any case,” she says. “If this happens then any political justification and public backing for staying in the Single Market and customs union would be lost.”
Describing it as one of the most complicated and biggest changes to happen in her lifetime, Debbonaire adds: “Brexit is a consequence of big problems that we have and I want us, as a country, to be tackling those problems.
“Inequality, the rise of the far right in our country and across the globe, air pollution and problems with how we run the economy across the world: Whatever we do about Brexit, it does not solve problems and they are big.”
A public meeting will be held on Saturday, October 13 from 11am-12:30pm at St James Priory. This will include an update from Debbonaire on the Brexit process and a chance for constituents to give views and ask questions.
Questions are invited in advance and the MP will also be taking questions on the day. She has pledged to answer every question, if not on the day, then by email. For more information and to register, visit: www.debbonaire.co.uk/blog/2018/09/26/brexit-question-time-saturday-13-october/.
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