Lichfield’s MP has defended his decision to campaign for Brexit, insisting he was elected as a representative and not a delegate.

Michael Fabricant supported the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.

The result of the EU referendum looks set to claim a number of high profile political casualties, including the Prime Minister David Cameron.

There have been calls for a second referendum after the launch of an online petition.

Michael Fabricant
Michael Fabricant

But Michael Fabricant, Conservative MP for Lichfield, said the first vote had clearly indicated the views of the majority of the British public – and he rejected criticism of his own stance.

“I should make clear that a successful petition simply means that time will be allocated in the House of Commons for the issue to be debated,” he said. “No decision can be made by Parliament other than to take note of the contents of the petition.

“The debate cannot result in an instruction to Government to do anything – in this case, to re-run the referendum.

“In any event, the decision made by the electorate was clear with Leave having a 4% lead with one of the largest turnouts of any vote we have had in recent years.

“The view of most MPs, therefore, is that the country has spoken and we must now implement its decision and move on. And I share that view.

“A few people have said that I have not reflected the views of my constituents in supporting our leaving the European Union. Those who attended the debate in Lichfield Cathedral in early June will know that I hold socially liberal views, that I support continued close ties with our European neighbours, I recognise the need for migrants who can play a useful part in our economy and culture, and that if the EU had been reformed I would have recommended our remaining.

“But it is clear from the failed negotiations with the EU before the referendum, that the EU has no wish to change.

“An MP is a representative, not a delegate”

“As for reflecting the views of my constituents, an MP is a representative, not a delegate. I am elected to use my own judgment on behalf of constituents and not to receive instructions from them. MPs have to be independent.

“But in the event, I did in fact reflect the view of Lichfield with 59% of the local electorate sharing my opinion that we should leave.”

There have been concerns over uncertainty in the financial markets following the vote for Brexit.

However, Mr Fabricant says that the UK economy is strong enough and will be able to forge stronger trading ties with the rest of the world after it leaves the EU.

“The Government has undertaken long and detailed contingency planning for a leave vote involving the Treasury, Bank of England, the Financial Conduct Authority, other agencies, as well as having discussions with other countries,” Mr Fabricant said. “The British economy is strong – stronger than most others in Europe.

“That combination is why the markets are now stabilising and our international borrowing interest rates are still some of the lowest in the world.

“There will be informal and discreet talks with the EU and other countries prior to our invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty which is our formal notice to the EU that we intend to leave.

“At present, we expect Article 50 to be invoked by whoever replaces David Cameron as Prime Minister. That will lead to a further two years of negotiation. My belief is that we will formally leave the EU on or about December 31 2018. We will then be free to sign pre-agreed trade agreements with the EU and other nations.

“Forget the political rhetoric”

“Forget the political rhetoric – the United States Department of Commerce, Germany, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Korea are but the first to have announced they want trade agreements with us. We have no agreements at present with any country as we are forbidden from having any by EU regulations.

“Despite the UK being the biggest investor in the world in the United States, neither we nor the EU have any trade agreement with them now.”

The Brexit vote has also led to speculation that Scotland could seek a second independence referendum after voters north of the border backed the remain camp.

Mr Fabricant said: “Nicola Sturgeon has a knack of generating headlines but much is rhetoric. She knows that she is unlikely to be able to call another Scottish independence vote.

“She neither has the support in the Scottish Parliament nor the strength in the Scottish economy to win such a vote. That is why she is backing off when questioned as to when such a vote might be held.

“Her latest plan to block Brexit has no basis in law.

“I voted for Brexit because it not only takes back control to our electable and accountable House of Commons and will save us billions too, it provides new opportunities for businesses and the wealth of our nation.

“We are a global trading power and it was wrong the EU tried to restrict us from being so. We will soon be free again to exercise our destiny and we should have the confidence to rejoice in that.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

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Scribbler
7 years ago

Fair enough.
Two quick points:
* At least the SNP seems to have a plan.
* “MPs have to be independent” – yes, that’s clear for everyone to see with everything you post on Twitter.

Darryl
7 years ago

I assume including Germany was a slip of the tongue?

phil sutcliffe
7 years ago

As the tory whip was withdrawn Mr Fabricant was entitled to campaign as he wished on this point. The campaign he was a part of played heavily on the migrant issue and project fear on this. i don’t know what part Mr Fabricant played in the anti-migrant rhetoric of the Leave campaign but there has been a rise in racist attacks nationally. I hope Mr Fabricant helps to heal this and to calm down the heightened anxieties that the Leave campaign encouraged here. i do hope he has a logical economic argument for Leave and works now to help improve the economic well being of all his constituents, including those with the lowest incomes and in the most disadvantaged situations. I hope he lobbies to stay in the Single Market where our trade interests lie. I hope that he holds his leaders to account on his side’s commitment to spend £350m extra per week on the NHS as was emblazoned on the side of his campaign team bus. I also hope that he remembers that the vote was a very divided one. I hope he now works hard to heal those rifts and rebuild harmony across the constituency. These are hopes. Let’s see what actually happens

Darryl
7 years ago

I’m not really sure what the point of this article is, other than to give column inches to Fabricant and explain why he voted out.

A quick check of ‘They Work for You’ indicates that he nearly always votes with his party, rarely with his constituents, he’s just fortunate that, this time, the majority in Lichfield were voting the same way.

With regards to all the other flim-flam about the economy, aside from saying absolutely nothing concrete, the economy has taken a dive and billions lost on the stock and sterling value. Quoting the “two years when we leave,” doesn’t really inspire confidence.

Finally, a question for MF, will he vote to repeal the 1972 European Communities Act? Because that’s what it will take.

AgitatorofPeople
7 years ago

That is a good question Darryl, Mr Fabricant, what is your position on voting to repeal the 1972 European Communities Act?