Since the referendum last June, I have been inundated with correspondence from both sides of the debate; on the one hand asking for the referendum result to be overturned, to the other demanding that article 50 is triggered immediately. I have had lots of cups of tea with residents who have come to my office to chew over the issue with me in person.
Thankfully, Theresa May delivered a clear and decisive speech earlier this week to deliver a plan to shape a brighter future for our country, to make it stronger and fairer, and to embrace the world. We will seek a new and equal partnership – between an independent, self-governing Global Britain and our friends and allies in the European Union. We are leaving the EU, not Europe. That means taking the opportunity of this great moment of national change to step back and ask ourselves what kind of country we want to be.
This is why the Prime Minister, who I believe is the best person possible to deliver Brexit, has outlined 12 objectives to build a new, positive and constructive partnership between Britain and the European Union. Amongst the objectives include the need to control immigration. The message from the public before and during the referendum campaign was clear: Brexit must mean control of the number of people who come to Britain from Europe. We will continue to attract the brightest and the best to work or study in Britain, but there must be control.
Two of the objectives focus on trade. The aim is to pursue a bold and ambitious Free Trade Agreement with the European Union whilst striking trade agreements around the world. Britain will become a global trading nation and I am confident that other European countries will be keen to establish free trade with us as soon as possible. After all, we are the customer.
It is also clear that we won’t remain members of the EU’s single market. If we did, it would mean complying with European Court of Justice rulings, free movement and other EU rules and regulations without having a vote on what those rules and regulations are. This would not be able to achieve the changes that the British people clearly signaled the need for.
Of course, where there are positives we will look to maintain them, including protecting workers’ rights. As we begin to translate the body of European law into our domestic regulations, we will ensure that workers’ rights are fully protected and maintained. Ultimately, we will look to create a truly Global Britain - the best friend and neighbour to our European partners, but also a country that reaches beyond the borders of Europe and embraces the world.
Finally, I helped to lead a debate in Parliament this week on the importance of the National Citizen Service. NCS is a scheme for 16-17 years olds offered during school holidays to build their confidence, work ethic and life skills. This is done through activities, including voluntary work which allows them to put something back into their local communities. Across the UK this is has already delivered 8m additional voluntary hours – a real boost for charities and local communities. I am really pleased there is cross-party support to extend this scheme to all 16-17 year olds.
