Statement on the High Court ruling on Article 50
In May 2015 I was re-elected on a manifesto that committed to delivering an in/out EU referendum so the British people could have their say on the UK’s relationship with the European Union. When enabling legislation came before the House of Commons I voted wholeheartedly in favour of it, thereby delivering a manifesto commitment to my constituents.
I was not, however, active in the referendum campaign itself, nor did I seek to persuade my constituents to vote one way or another.
In the referendum ballot I used my personal vote to remain in a reformed European Union and was disappointed with the result, but above anything else I am a democrat first and accept that in a referendum of 33 million voters over 1 million more people voted to exit the European Union than those who voted to remain.
If a vote to invoke Article 50 should therefore come before the House of Commons, I will vote to deliver the instruction of the British electorate and begin the process of exiting the European Union.
Alec Shelbrooke MP
3rd November 2016