We can fix Brexit while respecting the referendum result
“I will acknowledge the Conservative Party made mistakes. We announced that we would leave the European Union before we had a plan for growth outside the EU.” You would be forgiven if you were to think that quote was from one of the 21 Tory MPs who were suspended by Boris Johnson for trying to block a no-deal in 2019. However, you’d be wrong. That quote isn’t from the likes of Rory Stewart, David Gauke, or Ken Clarke. It was from the now Leader of the Conservative Party and His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP.
However, she isn’t wrong. The complete lack of a plan put in place by the last Government after leaving – other than the paper-thin deal by Boris Johnson – has really damaged local economies and communities.
You can see it in my constituency of Ashford. In 2020 it was announced that Eurostar would no longer be stopping at our local railway station – Ashford International. Since then, we have been actively campaigning to get the stop reinstated. However, due to the instability and lack of clarity in the future in Anglo-Euro relations, caused by the deal crafted by the previous Government, Eurostar, who operated the stop at Ashford Railway Station for almost 30 years, are reluctant to reinstate it. This has had a devastating effect on our local economy. We have seen around 30,000 jobs across Kent since Eurostar left the station.
If you are unfortunate enough to be caught in the contraflow system, which is regularly deployed in my constituency – Operation Brock – between Junctions 8 and 9 on the M20, you would have also experienced one of the unfortunate side-effects of a Tory-crafted Brexit deal. The disruptions caused whilst lorries are checked heading out towards the Port of Dover is a real inconvenience for my constituents. Originally developed as a solution to the disruption a no-deal Brexit would cause with Channel-crossings, it was kept and is now deployed as an emergency measure, affecting many of my constituents around Christmas time and the summer holidays.
Now, it is important to state that we were elected on a manifesto which clearly set out redlines; we were going to fully respect the result of the 2016 EU Referendum. We won’t rejoin the EU, Customs Union, Single Market and we’ve ruled out allowing Freedom of Movement. The mandate my Labour colleagues and I were given in July 2024 clearly outlined that we were not going to cross these red lines, and it is our duty to stick to our manifesto pledges. However, that does not mean that we can’t find a Brexit that works.
The Prime Minister has advocated for a reset and a stronger relationship with the Continent – which we can see by his visits to Europe, frequent meetings with senior European leaders; such as Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz, and, and his recent appearance at the EU Leaders Summit. This is promising as it will allow us to rebuild trade partnerships, security, and create more growth.
Perhaps one of the most significant meetings the Prime Minister has held was with Giorgia Meloni – Italy’s occasionally controversial Prime Minister. Their discussion was reportedly centred around illegal migration – which we totally lost any form of control over as a result of the Tory’s Brexit deal. We have seen record numbers of people making the crossing from Calais since 2020. It is important we work with our European Counterparts to smash the smuggling gangs at the source, who are literally profiting off human misery. However, we cannot do this without rebuilding relationships with our partners on the Continent.
At the first PMQs after the Christmas recess, I asked him how the reset would affect the chances of the European stop being reinstated at Ashford International. I was very pleased with his answer – he was not only “keen” to see European travel come back to my constituency, but also stated that; “We are resetting and strengthening that relationship, on the economy, energy and security, to deliver the growth we need. I know this is an issue of considerable frustration to his constituents.”
If we can deliver a reset, whilst honouring the Referendum result there is an opportunity to deliver quick economic growth.
Sojan Joseph has been the Labour Member of Parliament for Ashford since 2024. Previously, he served as a Councillor on Ashford Borough Council.
