John Lamont: 'I will back Brexit withdrawal agreement'

MPs will head to London this evening to cast their votes on the deal.

And the member for Roxburgh, Berwickshire and Selkirk has revealed he intends to vote for Prime Minister Theresa May's package.

Mr Lamont did not support the agreement in the vote in January.

But today he said that the only way to deliver Brexit is to back the one deal that is on the table.

He told us: “Speaking to local businesses over the past few weeks, it is clear that a lack of certainty is the number one concern for many. Whether they support leaving the EU with a deal or leaving without a deal, they want to make plans for after Brexit.

“And people in the Borders are tired of the constant debate about Brexit and just want our country to move on.

“Clearly, I am disappointed that we have not been able to achieve more significant changes to the withdrawal agreement. However, I have a responsibility to my constituents and to businesses in the Borders.

“The reality is that we are now barely two weeks away from leaving the EU. The choice we all face is leaving with the only deal that is on the table, leaving without a deal or creating further uncertainty by delaying the whole process.

“The only way to deliver on Brexit and to provide certainty for businesses in the Borders is to back this deal. It means that the rights of EU nationals will be protected, there will be no significant change to the availability and price of food, and travel to the EU will be largely unaffected. The UK will also be able to negotiate trade deals with both the EU and the rest of the world.

“The EU and the UK are both committed to avoid triggering the Northern Ireland backstop. If the deal is approved by MPs today work to secure a future trade agreement with the EU must start immediately.

“Businesses and residents in the Borders want certainty, and they want Scotland’s two Governments to move on from Brexit and start talking about things that really affect people’s lives.”