Lincolnshire Talks: Who should have the final say on the terms of Brexit?
“Brexit means Brexit” Prime Minister Theresa May has become fond of telling us. Despite her repeated insistence that she will not provide “a running commentary” on negotiations to leave the European Union, this has not stopped the media and politicians from all political parties speculating on what Brexit will mean for the UK. Debate has…
MPs Stephen Phillips (Sleaford and North Hykeham), Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough), Matt Warman (Boston and Skegness), and Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) give their thoughts on who should control negotiating the terms of Brexit
“Brexit means Brexit” Prime Minister Theresa May has become fond of telling us. Despite her repeated insistence that she will not provide “a running commentary” on negotiations to leave the European Union, this has not stopped the media and politicians from all political parties speculating on what Brexit will mean for the UK.
Debate has switched over the last two weeks to who should actually control the terms of Brexit, and how much of a say Parliament should have in this process.
Earlier this week, Downing Street indicated that MPs would probably be granted a vote on the final Brexit agreement, expected in 2019 after two years of negotiations.
However, campaigners have been calling for a vote before Article 50 is triggered, in theory by the end of March 2017.
Stephen Phillips has been MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham since 2010
Phillips, who voted Leave in the referendum, said that he had not voted to restore the sovereignty of the UK Parliament for the government to ignore the views of MPs in the House of Commons.
He said: “The referendum result gives the government no authority or mandate to adopt a negotiating position without reference to the wishes of the House and those of the British people expressed through their elected representatives.”
Following this, Lincolnshire Reporter caught up with other MPs from all ends of Greater Lincolnshire, representing both the Conservatives and Labour, and who voted different ways in the referendum.
Here is what they had to say.
Improper to reverse democratic decision
Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter
Veteran Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh took a different view to his Lincolnshire Conservative colleague, stating that he fully supports the government’s position.
He said: “The prime minister has committed to respecting the will of the majority of British people who voted in the referendum in June for Brexit.
“We know she has said that by the end of March 2017 the government will have triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and the UK leaving the EU will be locked in.
“It is right that Parliament should scrutinise and hold the government to account on the important issue of Brexit.
“It would however be improper to attempt to reverse the democratic decision taken in the referendum, or reveal our negotiating position in advance of negotiations.”
Boston and Skegness MP Matt Warman
This view has been broadly shared by Boston and Skegness MP Matt Warman, who voted Remain, unlike lifelong Eurosceptic Leigh.
Warman said: “It’s important parliament scrutinises the process of the UK leaving the EU, but politicians also need to accept that, whatever their personal preferences, nothing should stand in the way of Britain leaving without unnecessary delay.”
We must make sure we do not lose out
Scunthorpe MP Nic Dakin
Labour MP for Scunthorpe Nic Dakin, a Remain voter, said that the people had voted for the UK Parliament to assert its sovereignty.
He said: “It would be really strange in the light of that if Parliament does not proper scrutiny including a vote on the terms of the UK’s exit from the EU.
“I believe it’s important to deliver the will of the British people. We know we are leaving the EU but we have a responsibility to make sure that we come out but do not lose out.”
Who should control the terms of Brexit? The government? Parliament? The British people? Email [email protected] with your thoughts.
Spotted an error? Please notify us by selecting that text and pressing Ctrl+Enter.
Stefan is the Local Democracy Reporter covering Greater Lincolnshire. You can contact him directly with your news via email at [email protected]
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
A Lincoln-based tech CEO has been included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for technology.
Leo Scott Smith was recognised by Forbes for his work as CEO of Tended, the Lincoln-based tech firm which has famously pushed boundaries with live-saving technology.
He set up Tended at just 22-years-old back in 2017, with the vision of putting an end to avoidable injuries and deaths in a workplace environment.
Since its inception, Tended has expanded massively and now has offices in London and China, as well as right here in Lincoln.
Leo was also included in The Lincolnite’s 2019 30 Under 30 list for Lincolnshire after the launch of his Tended Protect product, a wrist-worn device that detects danger in the workplace.
Leo Scott Smith is the CEO of Tended, based in Lincoln.
It was during a charity visit to Nepal where Leo first had the idea for his technology, realising that if he were to be in danger, he may not be found.
This prompted the beginning of Tended and the subsequent Tended Protect wristband, which can call for help in case of an emergency, and even sends GPS locations to trusted contacts.
In 2020 he continued to innovate and create, launching a vibrating wrist strap that can sense when someone comes within a pre-set distance of you, helping businesses to maintain social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If staff breach a minimum separation distance, their wearable will vibrate to notify them to move away.
Now his efforts have been recognised even further, with famous clients such as Rolls Royce, Network Rail and Siemens all using his company’s technology.
Speaking about his inclusion in the Forbes list, Leo said: “It’s really great to be recognised for such a highly acclaimed award. It’s a huge achievement and a testament to the team at Tended as without them, the award would not have been possible.”
Lincolnshire’s Police Chief Constable says lockdown rule enforcement and relaxing COVID restrictions are the main challenges the force has at the moment, especially with a high demand for holidaying in the summer in coastal areas.
This comes as between 45 and 50 coronavirus breaches are reported each day to Lincolnshire Police.
Chris Haward became the new Chief Constable for Lincolnshire on December 19, 2020, moving his role as East Midlands Deputy Chief Constable, and replacing Bill Skelly who retired.
CC Haward said: “We’re now planning for June 21 [when further restrictions are lifted], and what that might mean to our resources and our resilience.
“We know for the east coast it’s mainly going to be people holidaying in the UK this year, and probably for next year as well, that the demand for holiday homes and caravans across the east coast is huge.
“We’re expecting a real rise in the population through the summer months. So that’s definitely a challenge for us.”
He added: “When we first started COVID enforcement, we were getting between 12 and 15 calls per day about COVID breaches, we are now averaging over 45 to 50 per day. So that’s definitely a big demand on us as we come into the summer months.
“It will be about antisocial behaviour and public order and rowdiness, particularly in our coastal towns.”
Lincolnshire Police handed out eight fines after three house parties in the Ermine area of Lincoln, on the same evening COVID lockdown restrictions eased for outdoor hospitality and non-essential retail shops reopened.
CC Haward said: “I urge people to abide by the roadmap that the government have set out. If we if we take our time, and we do it properly, then we’re more likely to come out of lockdown, and will be able to remain out of lockdown.
“We’ve come this far and for the sake of another two months, let’s just hold on to the discipline that we’ve had.”
He reflects fondly on his first 100 days in the role: “It’s been fantastic. Because of the time that I’ve joined with leading up to March and the new financial year, all the planning has given me an opportunity to go out and meet a good proportion of my officers and get out to some of the stations.”
Lincolnshire Police issued 367 COVID-19 enforcement fines, including those under local lockdowns, between March and December last year.
Eight fines were for breaches of face coverings regulations and another eight for international travel regulations.
A 26-year-old man has been arrested after crashing his car into a house in Skegness, and he allegedly didn’t have a licence or insurance.
The man was arrested for driving offences after an Insignia car hit a house on the A52 Croft Bank, near the Lomax garage in the seaside town at around 11.40pm on Monday, April 12.
He then fled the scene after the incident, causing significant damage to the property — but luckily nobody was injured, and police issued an appeal to track him down.
Officers eventually found and arrested a 26-year-old on suspicion of failing to stop at a road traffic collision, driving without a licence and without insurance, as well as aggravated vehicle taking.
He has been released on bail while investigations continue, and anyone with information is being asked to call 101 and quote incident 514 of April 12.
Whatsapp
