I am concerned about Brexit and the very serious implications for our country and our local community.

The negotiations have produced a deeply flawed draft withdrawal agreement and I am very concerned about how our relationship with other European countries could develop in future.

The draft represents a serious failure by the Government, which has spent two years fighting with itself rather than securing a better deal.

I’m opposing it because it fails to protect jobs and living standards, workers’ rights and environmental standards – or to provide sufficient guarantees on national security.

I firmly believe the proposals are against the national interest and could damage our local economy and harm our community. I do not accept the Government’s assertion that we either have to accept the proposed deal or have no deal and I am pressing for a much closer and more sensible relationship with the EU.

There are likely to be a series of developments in the next few days and the next steps include:

Parliament is debating the proposals and will vote on the deal on Tuesday (December 11th) and I plan to vote against the Government’s proposals.

If the Government is defeated, I believe that there should be a General Election, to allow a new Government to take over the negotiations.

If a General Election is not possible, I believe all options should be on the table, including campaigning for a public vote on the deal.

I would like to hear residents’ views on this important issue. Please fill in the Brexit survey at https://mattroddamp.com/brexit-deal

Or write to me at Matt Rodda MP, House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA