Many of you have contacted me during and since the 2016 EU Referendum and continue to do so regarding the ongoing negotiations between the UK and the EU.

My overall view is that although I voted and campaigned for the UK to remain within the EU, the country, when it voted, voted to leave, and the Government are duty bound to implement this result. In addition, Waveney voted to leave by a considerable margin and it would be remiss of me to ignore this message from my constituents. Although I personally did not vote to leave the EU, I do believe that leaving the EU will bring about different and positive opportunities for the UK to take advantage of in the years to come.

I support the Government’s approach to the withdrawal negotiations, which aims to forge a new partnership between the European Union and a sovereign United Kingdom. I anticipate that we will continue to trade and cooperate with each other as there are shared challenges and opportunities ahead, as well as securing the rights of EU citizens who live and work in the UK as well as those UK citizens who live and work in EU countries.

However this new partnership should ensure that Britain retains sovereignty over a number of areas; and in particular for Waveney the areas of fishing and farming, which for local businesses, farmers and fishermen is a key concern which has been expressed to me. I also agree with the need for Britain to be free to strike new trade deals with other non-EU countries such as the United States, Japan, Canada, China and many other emerging nations.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any specific issues you would like to raise with me and I welcome feedback from constituents no matter how they voted in the referendum.