“Be in no doubt we are leaving the European Union on March 29, 2019,” – that was the verdict of Redditch MP Rachel Maclean as she revealed her thoughts on Theresa May’s Brexit plan.
So far at least 25 Conservative members are known to have written no confidence letters against the Prime Minister.
And the PM will face a fight for her leadership if Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservatives, receives 48 such letters.
However Mrs Maclean is backing the Prime Minister to go all the way and believes ‘now is not the time for a leadership change’.
“This is a negotiation and by definition that means that neither side gets exactly what they want,” said Mrs Maclean.
“We are unravelling 40 years of co-operation so naturally coming out of the EU won’t happen overnight.
“Campaigners always said we wouldn’t be able to cherry pick in these negotiations and that the UK wouldn’t get anything it asked for but the Prime Minister has proved them wrong.
Mrs Maclean says she has read the Draft Withdrawal Agreement and from she can can see it ‘delivers’ on the key concerns raised by Redditch people.
She believes it ends freedom of movement, ends vast payments to the EU and enables the country to forge its own independent trade policy.
“Redditch is at the heart of manufacturing, with world leading companies based in our town, and this will continue after we have left the EU.
“This deal will enable businesses to take advantage of friction less trade.
“Very importantly this deal also sets out EU citizens’ rights and the rights of UK citizens living in the EU.
“It will enable us to continue to enjoy the deep and special partnership which we have enjoyed for so long and which benefits us all.”
Mrs Maclean has not seen the final deal yet, no one has, but she is backing the draft agreement.
“Those criticising it have not come up with any credible alternative and it’s obvious that the opposition are simply playing political games and seek only to frustrate Brexit and bring down the Government.
“We just need to get on with it.”
Backing Theresa May: Why the Borough Councillor who led the Leave campaign for local Conservatives is backing the PM – https://redditchstandard.co.uk/podcasts/
