John Baron MP highlights backstop issues in Brexit debate

MP reiterates opposition to second referendum

John Baron MP spoke during the Brexit debate in the House of Commons yesterday.

In the Chamber, John asked,

“Is the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster at all concerned that the next steps as outlined by the Prime Minister yesterday might make a good deal less likely, because the EU may hope that Parliament does its work for it by taking no-deal off the table and extending article 50?”

Rt Hon David Lidington MP in response said he did not fear this outcome, as his conversations with his European counterparts suggested that they are keen to resolve Brexit as soon as possible.

However, John voted against the Cooper amendment last night, which endorsed the Prime Minister’s next steps outlined in her Statement on Tuesday. The vote was won by 502 votes to 20.

John also asked,

“The Secretary of State knows we wish him well with these negotiations, but can he confirm that, when it comes to addressing the concerns of Conservative Members and some Opposition Members about the backstop, what is achieved will not only be meaningful but have a cast-iron guarantee of legal force?”

The Secretary of State, Rt Hon Stephen Barclay MP, responded that the Government recognised the importance of resolving the indefinite nature of the backstop.

Afterwards, John said,

“When it returns to Parliament, the Government must outline how what it has negotiated resolves the potentially indefinite nature of the backstop, which is the main stumbling-block to the successful passage of the Withdrawal Agreement. There must be no ifs or buts – only certainty will do.”

“I also continue to oppose a second referendum, which is now official Labour policy. It is condescending to allege people did not know what they were voting for, given the slew of ‘warnings’ issued to them at the time of the referendum which they wisely chose to discount. It is illogical, because if you believe people voted the wrong way last time, there is every chance they will do so again.”

“Finally, it is also dangerous – over 17 million people voted to leave the EU just three years ago. If they believe an out-of-touch élite is setting aside their votes because it disagrees with their choice, people may think twice about voting again in future. In a representative democracy, this poses obvious problems of trust and legitimacy.”

Notes to Editors:

• The transcript of John’s speech is online at: http://bit.ly/2ECRW3M.