The 2016 EU referendum was the largest demonstration of democratically expressed opinion in the history of the United Kingdom.

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In Kent, as elsewhere, the result was decisive - that we would give notice of our intention to leave the European Union and take back control of our own affairs.

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We stand on the threshold of a new chapter in our nation’s history. We have the chance to seize the opportunity to forge a new relationship with the European Union, strike trade deals around the world and build our prosperity at home. 

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But to do that, Members of Parliament need to reject diversionary motions that may be placed before us this week and back the Government’s revised Withdrawal Agreement in critical Commons votes later this month. 

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We are seeking a deal that delivers on the referendum result, that ensures we take back control of our laws, our borders and our money, that protects British jobs and, vitally, that maintains and strengthens our security. 

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There are those who would seek to subvert this process. In recent weeks calls for a second referendum, seeking to reverse the decision taken in 2016, have grown more strident. To listen to those voices, ignore the views expressed by the electorate, and to suggest that people acted unthinkingly when they voted just two and a half years ago, would be a betrayal. 

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It would run the risk of undermining faith in the democratic principles of our country and of fuelling division at a time when we need to be coming together. We should, though, not arrogantly assume that those who voted to Leave the EU all did so for the same reasons or that they all anticipated the same outcome from, and consequences of, our leaving. 

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We face a momentous decision before the end of this month. We shall either vote for a Withdrawal Agreement that will act as a stepping stone to further trade and relationship with the rest of the European Union or, as the law passed by an overwhelming majority in Parliament at present stands and unless that law is amended, we shall crash out of the EU on 29th March without a deal. Notwithstanding the result of the referendum I believe that that latter course of action would be neither in the national interest nor what a majority of the population thought that they were voting for in 2016.  

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We must fulfil our duty, act in the national, not in partisan or personal, interest and throw all of our weight behind the agreement that the Prime Minister is still seeking to conclude. 

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