Jaguar Land Rover, manufacturers, and other organisations continue to engage with MPs across all parties to ensure that MPs understand what is best for the manufacturing sector and their employees as we continue the Brexit discussions in Parliament. Sixty regional MPs have met regularly to discuss the importance of avoiding a No-Deal Brexit. This is also backed by industries ranging from agriculture to the food and drink industry and security. This does not mean we are trying to block the UK leaving the EU in any way, but ensuring we do leave in an orderly fashion with a deal. The key is to be ready to leave the EU with as many safeguards in place for the UK and for employees. This is something I am committed to achieving to protect the jobs of many of my constituents. I am contacted regularly by a large number of constituents to explain their positions on Brexit and the negotiations.
Parliament continues to search for a sensible way forward to honour the result of the EU Referendum. I am actively engaged in trying to build a consensus to support a deal which enables us to leave in an orderly fashion. Many businesses and organisations have contacted me with practical examples of how they are being adversely affected by the uncertainty, having to stockpile goods or mothball production capacity, but this disruption would be nothing compared to the chaos of leaving without a deal. For some my work with MPs in other parties is welcomed, for others it is not, but in my view a cross-party consensus would be the clearest evidence of MPs working together in the national interest, which many people tell me is what they want to see. This is not a normal time in politics. Political parties are divided with differing shades of opinion about Brexit, reflecting those in the wider population.
Dame Caroline Spelman MP
