Long before the referendum campaign got under way, I voted for the Referendum Act to give the people the final decision. I campaigned for Remain during the campaign, but in Portsmouth South 52% of people voted to leave. Accordingly I voted for Article 50, to give effect to their decision.
I was one of the first to campaign for Theresa May as leader because I know she is the best person to lead the negotiations, and I have every faith we can secure a Brexit which safeguards our national interests. We have been trying to secure certainty for EU nationals in the UK and UK nationals overseas, and I hope the EU countries who have blocked a deal so far will work with us to guarantee the position of these people.
I talk to many people from non-EU countries who are looking forward to establishing trade deals with the UK, and I am confident that we will continue our close trading relationship with Europe.
The Prime Minister needs the strongest mandate to take into those negotiations, so it is crucial that we win in seats like Portsmouth South to give her a strong hand, and so that I can speak up for the people of this city in Parliament.
