Following Wednesday evening’s votes and abstentions in the House of Commons on Brexit, Marlborough.news has received the following statement from Devizes Constituency MP Claire Perry:
“I abstained last night in the main substantive motion after consultation with the Whips. I had voted against the earlier Spelman amendment which its own author tried to withdraw believing the main Government motion was more powerful. I agreed.”
“As that amendment very narrowly passed, the main motion then became the only opportunity to vote to prevent no deal on the 29/3 – which is completely consistent with the government’s preferred and regularly stated position. It is our policy to leave with a good deal and that is what we have.”
“If Brexit is delayed as it may be after today’s votes it is entirely because so-called Brexiteers in the Commons have refused to join those of us who have consistently voted for the Prime Minister’s good deal which will deliver the best possible exit without harming millions of people’s livelihoods.”
“I wanted March 29 to be a day of new beginnings when we could start to focus on maximising the prospects for the UK outside the EU. Sadly that may have to wait a few weeks unless some members of Parliament stop chasing undeliverable wishes or engaging in leadership plots to destabilise our dedicated PM.”
“We must focus on delivering the Brexit the country wants or we may end up with a prolonged delay and the possibility of a Corbyn hard left government which will bring our economy crashing back to its knees – just as yesterday’s Spring Statement showed we have finally repaired the damage of the 2008 recession and can start increasing our levels of investment in our public services.”
[Thursday, March 14]