ALL four Barnsley MPs backed a bid to block a no deal Brexit this week.
With tension in Parliament at an all-time high, MPs Dan Jarvis, Stephanie Peacock, Angela Smith and John Healey have stood firm on their stance that the UK should not leave the European Union without an agreed deal.
A no deal Brexit would mean the UK would leave the EU on October 31, and there would be no agreements in place about what the relationship between the EU and the UK would be like.
Angela Smith, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said she will ‘not support a Brexit outcome that will make constituents in Penistone and Stocksbridge poorer’.
“I am quite clear the closing down of Parliament for five weeks by using prorogation powers is wrong,” said Angela. “At a time of national crisis to silence Parliament is undemocratic. Worse still it seems now likely the prime minister and his un-elected adviser, Dominic Cummings are intent on taking the country out of the EU without a deal.”
Dan Jarvis, MP for Barnsley Central said he has taken ‘unprecedented steps to prepare for whatever Brexit brings’.
“In the two-and-a-half years since Article 50 was triggered, Parliament has been paralysed; unable to agree a deal, but unwilling to support ‘no-deal’,” he said.
“I’ve taken on the additional responsibility of serving as South Yorkshire Mayor so that I can ensure that Barnsley and South Yorkshire are best placed to make a success of Brexit and address the fundamental challenges facing our regional economy.
“This week, I have worked closely with Stephanie Peacock and other MPs to amend legislation to enable a deal to pass and an orderly Brexit to take place.
“I will continue to do all I can in the days and weeks to come to secure a deal that respects the referendum result, whilst protecting jobs, living standards and our economy.”
Stephanie Peacock, alongside Dan Jarvis and other MPs from all parties, sponsored an amendment to the bill on no deal that would mean any proposed extension could only be implemented to leave with a deal.
“The people of Barnsley and the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016, and I support that decision. People are fed up and want this sorted.
“So we need to leave soon, and in a way that doesn’t threaten people’s jobs, livelihoods, standard of living, and even health.
“That’s why I voted this week to support leaving with a deal, and prevent any extension being used to keep us in the EU indefinitely and undermine the result. But ploughing ahead recklessly chasing either no deal or remain risks driving further splits through our community and country.
“I’ve always said I want to leave with a deal that allows us to respect the result, take back control and removes us from the mechanisms of the EU, but also maintains the employment rights, consumer protections, environmental safeguards and public services that people depend on.”
John Healey, MP for Wentworth and the Dearne, said: “We want a general election as soon as possible but we have a job to do first, to ensure Britain doesn’t crash out of the EU with no agreements in place to protect our jobs, rights, standards and security. Boris Johnson has no mandate from the public or Parliament for Brexit with ‘no deal’.
“Rather than Parliament being shut down for the next five weeks, MPs should sit throughout, including at weekends if needed.
“This period could not be more critical for the country and both the government’s progress in negotiations and its preparations for a ‘no deal’ Brexit must be made public.”
