Shropshire MPs hint at hope on Brexit deal

Last week four of Shropshire's five MPs voted against Theresa May's deal, citing objections to the so-called 'backstop' which would lock Northern Ireland into a customs union with the EU unless a trade deal is found to resolve the situation.

Ludlow's Philip Dunne was the only MP in the county to vote for the deal, along with Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies.

Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, said he would still only be willing to support Mrs May's deal if the problem surrounding Northern Ireland could be addressed.

Mr Kawczynski said he had spoken to the Polish foreign secretary who had agreed to lobby the EU for the backstop to be limited to five years.

He said if the EU agreed to that, it would go a long way to resolving the concerns that many Conservative MPs had about Mrs May's deal.

"My number one concern is solving the problem with the Northern Ireland backstop, if we can get a deal that does that, then I'm pretty relaxed. If we can't do that, I have no problem with us moving towards Brexit under World Trade Organisation terms, I'm happy with either.

Fees

"Let us never forget that the people of Shrewsbury voted to leave the EU. I will do whatever I can to ensure this instruction is honoured. I think some MPs have forgotten that they are the servants of people."

Mr Davies said he was hopeful that the deadlock would be broken, although he expected to have a much better idea of the way forward next week.

"I think next week we will begin to see a series of amendments which will give us an idea of what Members of Parliament do support," he said. "At the moment all they have said is what they are against.

"I'm still confident we will have a deal that is supported by a majority in parliament, that the Prime Minister can then take back to the EU to come to a final agreement."

Lucy Allan, MP for Telford, said she was hopeful that the deal could be improved allowing her to vote for it.

She welcomed the fact that Mrs May ruled out a second referendum, or Britain staying in the EU.

"She rightly says that ‘no deal’ Brexit cannot be ruled out," she said.

"I believe leave-supporting MPs could back the Prime Minister’s withdrawal agreement if a solution on the backstop can be agreed.

"If the Prime Minister can improve on the terms and remove the backstop then I think it is likely she will get it through Parliament.”

Mark Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin, said step-by-step, progress was being made.

"It is slow progress, but it is welcome progress nonetheless," he said.

"It is good that she is seeking the support of other parties but disappointing the Labour leader could not even be bothered to turn up."

Mr Pritchard said there had been a 'welcome and noticeable' change in atmosphere among Tory MPs.

"Ruling out a second referendum and extending Article 50 has been welcomed by a majority of colleagues." he said.

"Hopefully, action on the backstop will follow. The PM has huge support."

Mr Dunne welcomed Mrs May's announcement that fees would be waived for EU citizens seeking settled status.