Kerry McCarthy Labour MP for Bristol East
https://www.facebook.com/kerry4mp/videos/128035235076803
As of 11 PM tonight, the United Kingdom will no longer be a member of the European Union. This is a sad day for everyone who campaigned for the UK to Remain, believing that co-operation with our European partners on the basis of shared values and objectives, was far better for our country than self-imposed isolation and the dubious notion of “taking back control”.
The Government will no doubt claim after tonight that Brexit is ‘done’, but that is far from the truth. If anything, the hardest part is yet to come. The newscycle in 2020 will be dominated by the Government back-pedalling furiously on its Brexit promises, redrawing its “red lines” on trade deals, and claiming things such as chlorinated chicken, a bonfire of environmental regulations, and extra costs and paperwork for those wanting to do business in the EU , are somehow good for our country.
We need to hold the Government to account throughout the year ahead, continuing to press for as close a relationship with the EU possible, and continuing to make the case for internationalism, not isolation. We may be leaving the EU, but we are not leaving Europe, as I say in this video, filmed at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg this week.