EU Membership Referendum: Impact on the UK - Westminster Hall Debate

Rosie Duffield MP's speech as intended for the Westminster Hall Debate on Tuesday 24th February. Due to limited time, contributions were restricted. Rosie has published her full speech here for constituents to read. You can watch the full debate here. Hansard.

Almost a decade since we held that fateful referendum, let us look back and count the many and varied so-called “Brexit benefits” that some promised us. As we bask in the glorious position that the UK now enjoys on the world stage, admired and envied by nations that remain tethered to the huge co-operative trading bloc—with its equal standards, paperless flow of goods, shorter passport queues, easier travel, investment infrastructure, tourism, shared intelligence, movement for students and those in shortage occupations, shared research and development, and art and music projects—the stark reality, 10 years on from the infamous and baseless bus slogans, is not really freedom at all. It is not freedom for those of us whose constituencies have so many ties with our continental neighbours—ties that go back centuries and are embedded in this nation’s social, political, industrial, legal, creative and academic history.

My constituency’s very soul—our magnificent cathedral, heritage, people and institutions—are not only British but European. We are practically joined to France. A few days ago, we welcomed the French ambassador and other dignitaries to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the signing of the channel tunnel treaty by Mrs Thatcher and President Mitterrand, in a cathedral built mostly of French stone.

Kent is essentially Britain’s front door to European travellers. Thankfully, as a UNESCO world heritage site, it will always be a thriving and popular destination, but that is despite Brexit. Our easy relationship with the neighbours who could just pop over from next door has changed dramatically. 

Our economy is based on tourism, agriculture, produce, and our trading relationship. Whitstable oysters supply French restaurants, but that once seamless transaction involved 72 pieces of paper and multiple checks after Brexit. Our farms and local food businesses, our breweries and hugely successful wine industry rely on exporting perishable foods on tight margins – and importing ingredients, machinery, a workforce, with ease.

Ten years on, I believe Britain faces a simple choice: drift between trading blocs as a mid-sized power pretending to be exceptional or rejoin the only continental alliance capable of matching the economic might and political scale of the US and China. The Brexit debate has framed around ‘taking back control’ but in a hyperconnected world, sovereignty is not the ability to stand alone. It is the ability to shape the rules that save trade, technology, energy, migration, and security. 

Rejoining by stealth is dishonest, if politicians believe Britain’s future lies in the EU, we must show leadership, say so clearly, and argue the case and take voters with us. For my part, I will.