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Henry Smith

Crawley MP asks Prime Minister to confirm if she will rule out a delay of Brexit

In Prime Ministers Questions yesterday, Henry Smith MP took a stand and asked Theresa May to clarify the governments position.

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1 week ago

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Taking a dig at the recent overheard conversation within a bar from a the PM’s chief negotiator, Crawley MP Henry Smith yesterday in PMQ’s asked the PM to confirm her position over and planned request for a delay on Brexit.

Mr Smith said:

“Not withstanding Brussels bar room chatter, will the Prime Minister rule out a delay of Brexit beyond March 29th?”

He then went on to also ask:

“Will she also rule out a future customs union arrangement which would prevent us doing those global trade deals which the Bank of England governor says is a potential golden age of trade?”

It was a very direct series of questions considering how explosive the ‘overheard’ comments had been across the media.

The Prime Minister responded saying:

“The governments been very clear that we want to have that independent trade policy.

I’m grateful that he asked me that question rather than relying on what someone said to someone else as overheard by someone else in a bar.

It’s very clear, the governments position is the same, we triggered article 50, in-fact this house voted to trigger Article 50, that had a 2 year timeline, that ends on the 29th March, we want to end with a deal and that’s what we are working for.”

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Henry Smith

Crawley MP Henry Smith condemns Brexit uncertainty

Henry Smith MP has spoken out against the uncertainty and democratic damage of Brexit not being delivered and in Parliament last week called for the instruction given by the people of Crawley and the UK to leave the EU not to be delayed beyond 29th March 2019.

Published

5 days ago

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18th February 2019

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Speaking in the House Of Commons on Friday 15th Feb, Mr Smith partook in a debate and made his strong feeling very clear.

Here are some of the highlights of what he said:

“It’s been three years since the Brexit referendum was called. With exit day of 29th March only weeks away, I urge the Prime Minister to take a robust approach to the continued negotiations with the EU.

“One of the biggest reasons for the current uncertainty is the continued calls for another vote of the people. Crawley residents – and indeed voters across the UK – have already spoken clearly and it’s up to the Government to carry out their will.

“The previous day I asked Theresa May at Prime Minister’s Questions for assurances over our departure on the date set out in law of 29th March 2019 – the people’s Brexit must not be denied.”

He then followed it up about Crawley itself:

“The message I get is as follows. Just the other day, I was walking down Tilgate shopping parade in my constituency, and as is typically the case, someone came up to me and wanted to know about the current Brexit debate in Parliament.

“They said, “Why aren’t we getting on with the decision we made two and a half years ago?” That is a compelling argument.”

Mr Smith continued on the subject of Brexit uncertainty and the countries relationship with Europe:

“We have heard this afternoon calls for a so-called people’s vote. I would argue that we had a people’s vote in 2016. We have also heard calls for an extension of article 50, to delay our departure from the European Union.

“We have heard from those Members concern about the uncertainty of Brexit. The one thing that will maintain uncertainty is questioning the democratic decision that was taken by holding a second referendum.

“That would certainly do a lot to damage our democracy and prolong uncertainty, as would a delay to article 50, and that is before we even get into the issues of whether the remaining 27 members of the EU would allow article 50 to be extended and, if article 50 were to be extended beyond July, of EU elections.”

“Yes, we absolutely should be seeking and honouring a deep and close relationship with our neighbours and allies in Europe, but the trouble with a customs union, which Labour Members advocate, is that it would prevent us from doing the global free trade deals that, in a world that is getting smaller, are key to our prosperity.

“The key to this country’s future prosperity is our unique global links, and being a conduit for that thanks to our proximity to Europe. We must be robust in the ongoing negotiations, and I support the Prime Minister in continuing them.

“I have never known an EU negotiation that did not go down to the last moment, and I therefore remain optimistic about our future. For goodness’ sake, we should be more optimistic as a House and country, because our best years are ahead.” r

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