BREXIT: Wokingham borough MPs unlikely to back new vote Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement

FOLLOWING a dramatic night in the House of Commons in which Theresa May pledged to resign as Prime Minister if her Brexit plan was passed, local MPs have offered their insights.

MPs were offered a ballot paper offering a range of different Brexit options to choose from. None received a majority, but the one with the largest support was for a second referendum.

Also receiving support was a motion to establish a new customs union.

More than 400 MPs voted against a No Deal Brexit on April 12 – the current date that the UK would leave the European Union.

There is talk that the Prime Minister will attempt to bring her Withdrawal Agreement back to the House of Commons tomorrow or Monday after former Henley MP Boris Johnson and ERG leader Jacob Rees Mogg got behind it as the most realistic way to support.

But Mrs May faces an uphill battle to get enough Parliamentary support after MPs from the DUP said that they can’t support the agreement.

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And Bracknell MP Dr Phillip Lee has also said that he won’t support the deal unless there is a fresh referendum attached to it.

He voted against everything but revoking Article 50 and a second referendum.

Sir John Redwood, the MP for Wokingham, only voted in favour of a No Deal Brexit in last night’s vote. He rejected all other options and remains opposed to Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement.

He told The Wokingham Paper: “I remain keen on leaving [the EU] whilst offering a comprehensive free trade deal. If the EU agrees to talks, as it is in their interest to do, there is then no need to impose new tariffs and trade barriers when we leave the EU.

“The Withdrawal Agreement undermines the UK negotiating position, gives away too much of the money we need for our domestic priorities, and is widely opposed by my constituents however they voted in the referendum.

“I have made clear I do not support it.

“I want to free cash for Wokingham schools and social care.”

Reading East MP Matt Rodda voted against leaving with a no deal and a standstill arrangement, but was for Common Market 2.0, a customs union, Labour’s alternative plan, a second referendum and to revoke Article 50.

He said: “Last night’s votes showed that there is growing interest in rethinking Brexit. I hope further votes on Monday will continue to develop a consensus.

“I was pleased with the large amount of support for an alternative deal, in which the UK could stay in a customs union with the EU, as this would protect jobs and businesses.

“I was also pleased with the growing support for a confirmatory referendum. I hope that any softer Brexit deal and remaining in the EU could be put back to the people in such a vote.

“There was a sense of history as we completed our ballot papers, followed by a long, tense wait for the results while the votes were counted.

“I hope this process will now continue as planned by senior cross party MPs. If Theresa May’s deal does return I am planning to vote against it as I believe it is a poor deal which would lead to a long period of uncertainty in which the UK would be at a significant disadvantage when negotiating with the EU.”

Theresa May did not take part in any of the votes.

However, at a meeting of the 1922 Committee – a group of Conservative backbenchers – she told them: “I am prepared to leave this job earlier than I intended in order to do what is right for our country and our party.”

Sir John said: “The Prime Minister did not announce a specific date for her departure though after the meeting a briefer suggested May 22. I will consider that when it is a clear statement from the Prime Minister herself.”