Internal Market Bill: Peterborough’s MPs vote to override parts of Brexit agreement
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MP for Peterborough Paul Bristow, and MP for North West Cambridgeshire Shailesh Vara, were among 340 to vote for the bill, compared to 263 who opposed it.
The Government has argued that the law is necessary as it contains vital safeguards to protect Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK if negotiations on a future trade deal with the EU break down ahead of the UK leaving the single market and customs union at the end of the year.
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Hide AdBut there has been plenty of opposition to the bill, including among Tory ranks, with critics arguing that it would breach international law.
Two Conservative MPs voted against the bill on Monday while a further 30 abstained.
The legislation will now be scrutinised further before coming back to the Commons.
Mr Bristow posted a video explaining the reasons for his vote.
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Hide AdHe said: “I’m confident that the European Union and the UK can negotiate a Canadian style free trade agreement.
“But what this bill does is prevent the creation of a hard trade border down the Irish Sea between Britain and Northern Ireland.
“If we vote for this bill it strengthens our hand in the negotiation. That’s why I’m voting for it.”
His fellow Conservative Mr Vara also tweeted ahead of the vote, posting: “The EU are acting in bad faith and want to continue interfering in our internal affairs. That is unacceptable. The UK voted for independence and sovereignty and that is why I will be voting with the government tonight. We need measures in place to protect the integrity of the UK.”
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Hide AdOther local Tory MPs also voted for the bill. These were: Steve Barclay (MP for North East Cambridgeshire), Gareth Davies (MP for Grantham and Stamford), John Hayes (MP for South Holland and The Deepings), Jonathan Djanogly (MP for Huntingdon) and Tom Pursglove (MP for Corby).