I know many residents get tired of Brexit stories in the news, so I try to keep this page as much about local issues as I can.
However, quite a large number of residents have contacted me to ask for a reassurance that I will vote against a second referendum now that Labour have confirmed they want to overturn the 2016 referendum result by calling a second referendum.
I can assure residents that I will 100% oppose a second referendum as it is nothing more than a trojan horse to deny the people what they voted for and it would be a betrayal of solemn promises made at the last election by both Labour and the Conservatives and of promises made by Remain and Leave in the 2016 referendum.
At the last election, Labour here in Brigg and Goole promised residents in their manifesto that they would respect the near 70% of local people who voted to leave the EU. A party led by a man who apparently is so principled in his views has now decided to go back on that.
Similarly, in the referendum campaign both Leave and Remain told people this was going to be a once in a generation vote which both sides would respect. Parliament voted to trigger Article 50 by a huge majority on that basis.
Whatever side of the debate you are on, I hope we can all agree that solemn promises respecting the democratic will of the people should be respected. A second referendum would be undemocratic and it would divide the country worst than the first whilst also creating the perfect breeding ground for far-right nationalist groups.
Moreover, it would mean that Remain would only have to win once to get their way, whilst Leave would have had to win twice to get their way. How is that fair?
I can assure residents I will vote against any attempt to overturn the result and any attempt to do that by way of another referendum. There are a small number of Labour MPs who have said they oppose Labour's attempt to wreck Brexit and I am working closely with them to ensure that that this effort is defeated by Conservative and Labour MPs.
The last result was relatively close nationally, but it was clear. That is why I have consistently argued that we need to try to bring both sides together and to compromise, whilst also 100% honouring the result. I deeply oppose some of what is being said and done by both my fellow Brexiteer MPs and some Remainer MPs.
I will continue to work towards delivering Brexit. I know that isn't a decision every constituent agrees with, but I will not dishonour the result of the referendum or the last election.
Andrew