The EU Withdrawal Bill is perhaps the most significant Parliament has debated in more than a generation and it’s certainly the most important law I have scrutinised in my 8 years as an MP.
It transfers existing EU law into UK law and allows us to choose what laws we wish to keep, remove or improve based on decisions made by our MPs in Westminster, not those in Brussels.
As with all laws, both the House of Commons and House of Lords have rightly debated & scrutinised the Bill in detail. During over 270 hours of dedicated time, we have debated & voted on around 1,300 amendments to the Bill
This week, as part of their work, the House of Lords made a number of changes which required MPs to vote on the Bill again.
Some suggestions, like ensuring there is no hard border in Northern Ireland after Brexit and guaranteeing new stronger protections on citizens’ rights, refugees, and animal welfare, were positive amendments that I was pleased to support – as was the Government.
However some of the changes the Lords made were designed to frustrate, delay and ultimately attempt to stop Brexit. They were unacceptable and it is why I voted with the Government to reject these changes.
Over Tuesday & Wednesday, we had 22 votes (following long debates) - the most I’ve experienced in such a short period, one after another. When there is a vote, bells ring around Parliament and MPs have just 8 minutes to get to the Chamber, where we have to crowd into division lobbies with colleagues. One single vote takes around 20 minutes, so there is plenty of time to talk with fellow MPs and lobby Government Ministers.
Both Labour & Conservative MPs stood on clear manifestos to respect the referendum decision and leave the EU. So it was particularly disappointing – but perhaps unsurprising – to see the Labour Party support amendments which would have bound the Government’s hands in the Brexit negotiations, retain uncontrolled migration, and ultimately try to keep the UK in the EU.
Whilst Parliament is at its best when MPs are debating and voting till very late at night, I could not escape the sense this week of the very prevalent ‘Westminster bubble.’ Whilst some MPs thrive off the political drama and the infighting in different parties, I cannot help but feel that the public must be fed up of the ongoing battles and intense coverage of the procedural technicalities. Put simply, the vast majority of the public, both remainers and leavers, just expect us to get on with it and deliver a Brexit which will benefit the whole of the UK.
Elsewhere, I was delighted to join the annual carers walk on Saturday in Theatre Square. It is so important to recognise the valuable contribution that carers make and the walk is a fantastic way to raise funds and awareness for the fantastic Swindon Carers Centre (SCC). I am also delighted to hear that the partnership I helped to forge between SCC and Better Leisure continues to blossom, with SCC securing a funding grant to deliver well-being sessions for local carers. It is great to hear that these sessions will be on offer and I am very grateful that SCC continue to go above and beyond when it comes to delivering vital support.
