Liz McInnes MP statement regarding Brexit and the proposed withdrawal agreement

Liz McInnes MP for Heywood and Middleton

Liz McInnes, Member of Parliament for Heywood and Middleton, has issued the following statement regarding Brexit and the Prime Minister’s proposed Withdrawal Agreement:

Liz McInnes MP says: “Recent days have seen a huge amount of speculation regarding Brexit and no shortage of chaos in government with resignations and threats of no confidence votes in the Prime Minister from her own MPs. This is a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. I want to set out my own views on the draft Withdrawal Agreement that Theresa May announced last week and what I think our next steps should be.

“As I have consistently said since the referendum in June 2016, I fully accept that we are leaving the EU, and the only question is how. What is clear from reading the draft agreement and from speaking with constituents in recent days, is that however you voted – Leave or Remain – absolutely nobody voted for this botched deal.

“It is a failure after two years of negotiations which have been handled terribly, and Theresa May’s government is now in chaos because of her own failings and inability to negotiate a deal in the national interest.

“The deal is in two parts – a withdrawal agreement, and a political declaration that is incredibly vague and opens the gate to a hard Tory Brexit.

“Taken together, this deal fails Labour’s tests and so I will vote against it. If, as expected, the Bill fails, then Labour will call for a General Election. If we win that election, we will seek to implement a better Brexit plan which will help us to upgrade the economy and invest in every community; a Brexit that would safeguard jobs, rights and standards and bring power and investment back to our nations and regions.

“Labour’s alternative unity plan to bring the country together includes a new comprehensive and permanent customs union, with a British say in future trade deals that would support businesses, jobs and the manufacturing supply chains they depend on; a strong single market relationship that allows British business continued access to vital European markets for both goods and services; and a guarantee that our country doesn’t fall behind the EU in workers’ rights, or protections for consumers and the environment. We won’t let this Conservative Government use Brexit as an excuse for a race to the bottom in protections or rights at work. And regarding immigration, we are clear that freedom of movement rules will end when we leave the EU. After that, our priority is to get the best deal for people’s jobs and the economy and to negotiate a new immigration system based on fair rules and reasonable management of migration.

“As it stands, Theresa May’s deal isn’t one that Labour can sign up to. It doesn’t protect jobs, rights and living standards. It’s asking us to leap into the unknown. If it fails, then the only sensible option is for the Tories to step aside and let Labour take the lead.”

Read a full and detailed explanation of Liz’s position at

• www.lizmcinnesmp.org.uk/blog/2018/11/20/brexit-statement/