Home   Kent   News   Article

MPs return to parliament to vote on government's Brexit bill

The EU will not be able to frustrate Brexit as a result of the the Conservative party's election majority, says a Kent politician.

MPs are expected to vote on the government's Brexit bill this week as Boris Johnson resumes as Prime Minister and moves to fulfil a key election pledge.

In a sign the government will move quickly towards leaving the European Union by the deadline of January 31, MPs are expected to stage a vote on Friday.

It will come after the Queen's Speech on Thursday, which will set out the new government's legislative agenda - that is unlikely to be very different from the policy programme laid out in October.

The Prime Minister now has a comfortable working majority of 80, enabling it to break the Parliamentary deadlock that stifled efforts to get Brexit through before the election.

South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay, a Brexiteer, said the bill was not perfect but he was comfortable with it.

"We have got a good compromise deal that gets us out of the EU," he said.

Boris Johnson has already done a "mini cabinet reshuffle"
Boris Johnson has already done a "mini cabinet reshuffle"

"I think people have appreciated that the free trade discussions have yet to follow so we are in the foothills of where our future relations are going to be.”

He added the EU would have to accept that the government was in a stronger position regarding Brexit after the election.

"They have to deal with a prime minister who believes in Brexit and has a strong majority so we are in a very different place turn the last parliament and I think there is a lot of relief across the country that we are now going to make progress.

"Trust has been at a very low ebb in parliament; this is the opportunity to get this country back on track again."

Among the 109 new Conservative MPs being sworn in will be two from Kent.

MPs will return to the Commons this week
MPs will return to the Commons this week

Natalie Elphicke was elected as the new MP for Dover and Deal, replacing her husband Charlie Elphicke who stood aside as candidate to concentrate on clearing his name of assault charges.

Laura Trott is the new Sevenoaks MP, replacing Michael Fallon who retired.

Meanwhile, the Faversham and Mid Kent MP Helen Whately will continue as a minister under Nicky Morgan, after Boris Johnson carried out a limited reshuffle.

She was appointed parliamentary under secretary of state at the department for digital, culture, media and sport in September.

Mrs Whately was appointed as part of the ministerial team to be headed by culture secretary Nicky Morgan, who stays in that role despite standing down as an MP.

She is taking a peerage and will sit as a cabinet minister in the Lords.

Meanwhile, a former senior Labour councillor in Kent has labelled Jeremy Corbyn as "delusional" after saying he would stay on to oversee the election of a new leader.

"Trust has been at a very low ebb in parliament; this is the opportunity to get this country back on track again" - MP Craig Mackinlay

Former Dartford councillor Jonathan Hawkes, who was opposition leader until he lost his seat in May's council election, said the party's defeat was primarily Mr Corbyn's fault.

"It has been an appalling result for the party; an absolute disaster and the leadership of the party must take full responsibility," he said.

"It is heartbreaking, it is tragic and it didn't need to be like this.

"We have had four years of the Corbyn project which has manifestly failed to deliver a Labour government.

"Anyone who has knocked on a door in the last four years has had the leadership raised time and time.

"Yet we have gone into an election behind in the polls for two years but there has been no discussion of this within the party.

"We thought we could get to election day and it will all change - that was fanciful and delusional. We should have seen it coming.

"Given the results Jeremy Corbyn should not be saying that he is staying to oversee the election of a new leader he should be resigning immediately."

Head to our politics page for expert analysis and all the latest news from your politicians and councils

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More