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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/15/stephen-hammond-proud-tory-brexit-rebel-vote-conscience
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| I’m proud to be a Conservative Brexit ‘traitor’. We had to take back control | I’m proud to be a Conservative Brexit ‘traitor’. We had to take back control |
| (30 days later) | |
| Fri 15 Dec 2017 14.16 GMT | Fri 15 Dec 2017 14.16 GMT |
| Last modified on Wed 14 Feb 2018 15.29 GMT | |
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| The referendum told us to leave the EU, but it was completely silent on how we do so. Indeed, some in the leave campaign said we should stay in the single market. Yet, how we choose to leave the EU (not whether we do) will have a significant effect on people and businesses across our country, and it is the most significant and complex constitutional decision this country must make for a generation. | The referendum told us to leave the EU, but it was completely silent on how we do so. Indeed, some in the leave campaign said we should stay in the single market. Yet, how we choose to leave the EU (not whether we do) will have a significant effect on people and businesses across our country, and it is the most significant and complex constitutional decision this country must make for a generation. |
| Therefore, it is absolutely crucial that this decision is made by parliament, and by each of us on behalf of our constituents. Anything else would be an abdication of our duty as MPs. That is why I voted for amendment 7 on Wednesday, the effect of which was to give parliament a meaningful vote on the final deal – and resulted in the loss of my job as vice-chair of the Conservative party. | Therefore, it is absolutely crucial that this decision is made by parliament, and by each of us on behalf of our constituents. Anything else would be an abdication of our duty as MPs. That is why I voted for amendment 7 on Wednesday, the effect of which was to give parliament a meaningful vote on the final deal – and resulted in the loss of my job as vice-chair of the Conservative party. |
| The European parliament will vote on the final deal before it is concluded, and this is enshrined in article 50. Numerous national, and even potentially regional, parliaments across the EU27 may also have a vote on the deal. So surely the UK parliament must at least have these same rights over the final deal if it is to be considered sovereign? | The European parliament will vote on the final deal before it is concluded, and this is enshrined in article 50. Numerous national, and even potentially regional, parliaments across the EU27 may also have a vote on the deal. So surely the UK parliament must at least have these same rights over the final deal if it is to be considered sovereign? |
| This amendment does not stop or delay Brexit. In fact, this amendment enshrines in law the government’s existing commitment to give parliament a meaningful vote on the final deal. However, it was essential that this promise was incorporated into the bill to curtail the vast increase in ministerial powers in clause 9. | This amendment does not stop or delay Brexit. In fact, this amendment enshrines in law the government’s existing commitment to give parliament a meaningful vote on the final deal. However, it was essential that this promise was incorporated into the bill to curtail the vast increase in ministerial powers in clause 9. |
| I took no pleasure in voting against the government and my party for the first time on Wednesday night. It was a very difficult decision, but I believe it was the right one. There did not have to be a rebellion, it was completely avoidable. My colleagues and I had raised our concerns with the government three months ago, and we have been trying to work with the government to find a solution that everybody would be happy with. In the end, the minor concessions offered 15 minutes before the vote unfortunately failed to address the issues being raised. Therefore, I had to vote with my conscience and put my country and constituency first. | I took no pleasure in voting against the government and my party for the first time on Wednesday night. It was a very difficult decision, but I believe it was the right one. There did not have to be a rebellion, it was completely avoidable. My colleagues and I had raised our concerns with the government three months ago, and we have been trying to work with the government to find a solution that everybody would be happy with. In the end, the minor concessions offered 15 minutes before the vote unfortunately failed to address the issues being raised. Therefore, I had to vote with my conscience and put my country and constituency first. |
| The passing of amendment 7 does not undermine the government or the prime minister, nor does it make it more likely that Jeremy Corbyn will become prime minister. The evidence for this is clear, as the EU27 have just agreed to move to the next phase of talks. The talk of delay is just what whips say to try to scare MPs, and what the newspapers say to make a story. Governments do not fall because amendments are passed at committee stage; this is just a normal part of scrutinising legislation. | The passing of amendment 7 does not undermine the government or the prime minister, nor does it make it more likely that Jeremy Corbyn will become prime minister. The evidence for this is clear, as the EU27 have just agreed to move to the next phase of talks. The talk of delay is just what whips say to try to scare MPs, and what the newspapers say to make a story. Governments do not fall because amendments are passed at committee stage; this is just a normal part of scrutinising legislation. |
| Since the vote, there have been calls for me to be deselected from standing for the Conservative party again. I find it quite strange that I should be subject to deselection calls after one rebellion, as for the past 12 years I have always previously supported the government. | Since the vote, there have been calls for me to be deselected from standing for the Conservative party again. I find it quite strange that I should be subject to deselection calls after one rebellion, as for the past 12 years I have always previously supported the government. |
| I do not take much notice of abuse on social media. I am accountable only to my constituents, and the vast majority of comments I have received since the vote have been very positive. My constituency voted very heavily to remain, and so it is fully understandable that they want to ensure parliament will have control over the Brexit process and a say on the final terms of the agreement. | I do not take much notice of abuse on social media. I am accountable only to my constituents, and the vast majority of comments I have received since the vote have been very positive. My constituency voted very heavily to remain, and so it is fully understandable that they want to ensure parliament will have control over the Brexit process and a say on the final terms of the agreement. |
| At the core of the leave campaign was a promise to “take back control” – and now parliament can do just that, to ensure we can fully scrutinise and decide on the most significant constitutional change for a generation on behalf of our constituents. It is somewhat ironic that it takes a remain campaigner like me to deliver what the leave campaigners claimed they wanted all along. | At the core of the leave campaign was a promise to “take back control” – and now parliament can do just that, to ensure we can fully scrutinise and decide on the most significant constitutional change for a generation on behalf of our constituents. It is somewhat ironic that it takes a remain campaigner like me to deliver what the leave campaigners claimed they wanted all along. |
| • Stephen Hammond is Conservative MP for Wimbledon. He was sacked as vice-chair of the Conservative party in December 2017 following a rebel Brexit vote | • Stephen Hammond is Conservative MP for Wimbledon. He was sacked as vice-chair of the Conservative party in December 2017 following a rebel Brexit vote |
| Brexit | Brexit |
| Opinion | Opinion |
| Article 50 | Article 50 |
| European Union | European Union |
| Foreign policy | Foreign policy |
| Conservatives | Conservatives |
| House of Commons | House of Commons |
| comment | comment |
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