I didn’t think I’d have to resign because of Brexit

Idid not come into politics to only talk about Brexit. It is an important issue, but it is one of many. I would rather concentrate upon the issues that matter to me and my constituents: the economy, schools, hospitals and the environment. Yet under this Withdrawal Agreement, that day may not come soon. There are two rounds of Brexit negotiations – and the first is coming to a close. Worryingly, the second round could, if this agreement passes, last indefinitely. The Withdrawal Agreement before Parliament contains many admirable aspects and I commend the Prime Minister for her determination to secure a deal many said was not possible. However, this agreement contains a fatal element. It establishes the legal parameters that will guide the negotiations over our future relationship with the European Union. This includes the backstop, the fallback option should this second round of negotiations break down.

Under the backstop, any change to UK regulations would mean that goods passing between Britain and Northern Ireland would be subject to a declaration process, similar to an international trade. How could we claim to be a United Kingdom under such terms? This backstop creates a legal reality that could prolong negotiations with the EU indefinitely, until we agree to anything in desperation. Where is the control so many voted to take back?

I do not want to be explaining to my constituents why Brexit is still not over and we are still obeying EU rules in the early 2020s or beyond. Unless and until this is amended, the Withdrawal Agreement cannot receive my support. I believe the Prime Minister when she says there should be enough common purpose to secure a deal in a timely fashion. This is possible, but it remains an opinion. Opinions change.

I am being asked to approve a legally binding Treaty which creates such a power imbalance that it irrevocably weakens the UK’s negotiating position, and that is something I cannot do. Some of my colleagues have argued that this deal should be accepted so we can deliver Brexit now to “just get on with it”. The UK does not rush to accept international treaties purely to “get on with it”. We are not impatient. We do not relinquish our ability to unilaterally walk away. We do not abandon our citizens in pursuit of any agenda, and we do not surrender our negotiating position to a ticking clock. Most of all, we do not give up our national interest under any pressure, foreign or domestic. I wanted to support this Withdrawal Agreement, and I still want to support it, but unless the backstop is addressed to include either an end date or a unilateral exit mechanism, I cannot support it and so am resigning from the Government as a parliamentary private secretary. I implore the Prime Minister to go back to the EU and find another way, to make this Withdrawal Agreement something we can all support. As I said, I did not come into politics to only talk about Brexit.

I certainly didn’t think I would have to resign from the Government because of it.