Over the Bank Holiday weekend, I joined the crowds of both residents and visitors who came out to welcome the East Coast Truckers convoy as they travelled through Great Yarmouth.
This is my first column since the General Election and I would like to use the opportunity to thank all those residents who put their trust in me to continue representing the constituency in Westminster.
Many residents have contacted me following last week’s Supreme Court ruling that Parliament must vote before the Government invokes Article 50 to commence our exit negotiations from the European Union. They have asked how I intend to vote when this comes before MPs in the next few weeks.
Many of my constituents have contacted me regarding what will happen as the Government starts negotiating Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union. The Prime Minister made clear this week that the referendum vote last June was about something more than simply leaving the European Union.
My first Mercury column of 2017 gives an opportunity to look to the year ahead. I’ve written extensively about Europe over the last six months, and more vital stages of Brexit will occur this year, but perhaps I can concentrate this month on some very localised projects.
We have just had the Autumn Statement. Traditionally this Parliamentary occasion, required by law, set out forecasts for the British economy in the years’ ahead and outlined the Government’s spending plans. It was the Budget the following spring that set out tax plans.
Brexit means Brexit! What on earth does that mean? That’s a fair question I have been asked numerous times over the summer. It is intended to convey that a clear and democratic decision had been made by the British people and this Government will implement that decision.
