We have finally delivered

After a divisive referendum campaign, two general elections, and three and a half years of shouting, the legislation which enables us to leave the EU on 31 January passed rather quietly on Thursday.

Nigel Evans, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, announced the news to a muted Chamber:

“I have to notify the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, that Her Majesty has signified her assent to the following Act: European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020.”

And with that, we have finally delivered on the result of the referendum and have got Brexit done.

I’ve fought three election campaigns of my own, and helped out on dozens of others, and I’ve never known a phrase - ‘Get Brexit Done’ - that has captured the public mood so well. Doorstep after doorstep repeated the phrase back to me.

People told me that they turned the telly off when the news came on to avoid hearing yet more arguments about Brexit. Passionate leavers told me that they wanted us to deliver what they’d voted for. People who voted to remain said that we needed to respect democracy.

And so we’ve done just that. I voted to leave the EU myself, but I’ve spent the last few years worrying about our democracy and how passionate debate had transformed so rapidly into anger and hatred.

With the EU Withdrawal Agreement passed, I very much hope that we can move on and get back to a calmer and more rational debate about our country’s future.

Certainly, in the House of Commons, the mood has changed. Colleagues who sat in the last Parliament tell me how terrible that period was, about how they felt under siege, and how badly they knew that trust in politics was eroding.

Now we’ve delivered Brexit, it’s time to put that division and deadlock aside and work together for the good of Furness, and the good of the UK.

I’m excited by what the future offers and I look forward to working on the issues that most matter to us - well funded public services, improved road and rail networks, and a thriving Barrow & Furness.

From Wombles to meeting royalty

What a week it’s been! From meeting a genuine Womble in Parliament to promote the Great British Spring Clean (watch this space for events that I’ll set up across Furness), to greeting HRH Princess Anne at the Cafe Neuro drop in centre on Duke Street, it’s been a busy week.

Speaking to volunteers and users of the drop in centre, which supports people across south Cumbria with neurological conditions, I was struck once again by how incredible our community is.

It’s an absolute honour to have this job and meet so many people who are dedicated to ensuring that those who need help and support receive it.

I met a similar group at Newbarns School on Friday - heads from across our area who told me with no varnish about the challenges they face and the extra hours they put in, for their pupils, parents and the local community.

I look forward to working with them.

Barrow means business

On Thursday, the first meeting of the Town Deal Board assembled in Barrow Town Hall. The board will shape and guide the work which will lead to a transformation for Barrow - paving the way for the regeneration of the town centre, improved infrastructure, and a change in the way that Barrow is perceived by the outside world.

We’re at the early stages, but it was great to be with a group that is so passionate about Barrow. Public consultation is going to be key to making this work and we need you to support this endeavour to ensure its success.