Webchat with Anna Soubry on Brexit and beyond - Tuesday 22 January at 10.30am

[BojanaMumsnet]

Hello

We’re pleased to announce a webchat with Anna Soubry MP to discuss all things Brexit. Anna was a Remain campaigner and currently supports calls for a second referendum. Anna made headlines a couple of weeks ago when she was harassed outside Parliament and urged the police to take more action.

Anna has been the Conservative MP for Broxtowe since the 2010 General Election. After more than a year attending Cabinet as Minister of State for Small Business, Anna chose to return to the backbenches in July 2016, be able to represent her views on the “positive benefits of immigration and the EU.”

Please do join the chat on Tuesday at 10.30am, or if you can’t make it, leave a question here in advance.

We’re expecting this to be a busy webchat, so only existing Mumsnet users are able to post on this thread.

As always, please remember our webchat guidelines - one question per user, follow-ups only if there’s time and most questions have been answered and please keep it civil. Also if one topic is overwhelmingly dominating a discussion with a guest, mods might request that people don't continue to post what's effectively the same question or point. Rest assured we will ALWAYS let the guest know that it's an area of concern to multiple users and will encourage them to engage with those questions.

And finally - we did have a pro-Brexit webchat guest lined up for this week (Jacob Rees Mogg) but they cancelled on us so we’re trying to line up a replacement as we speak.

Many thanks.

The official portrait of Anna Soubry is used under an Attribution 3.0 Unported licence - image may be cropped for purpose.

[gov]

Hi Anna,
First of all - thank you for your convictions and your courage, and know that you, and a very small number of MPs are representing a huge proportion of the country, left without a voice in Theresa May's new order.

I watched parliament yesterday, and was so saddened. She just repeats and repeats the same few phrases and her mind is closed to input from any other quarters apart from the hard right and the DUP.

I did have an interesting thought though yesterday when considering an extension to Article 50. If we get an extension which means that we need to be included in the European elections this summer, it actually might be a very good, and healing thing for the UK.

Previously, pretty much nobody in the UK cared about Europe (apart from the Swivel-eyed brigade) and no-one took much notice of the European elections. Once Brexit got whipped up into a storm, people argued that the EU was undemocratic because we don't know our MEPs etc etc. Maybe now there is public interest in Europe, it would be different going through a vote. Yes UKIP would get a lot of votes, but perhaps most people would recognise the value of shared effort on things like Climate change, and the Greens would get a huge share of votes too. People might see more of the democratic value of Europe. Sorry but I think the Tories would be slaughtered in a proportional representation vote, as they (apart from you and a small number of others) deserve. This might also be useful as a 'pre referendum referendum - will of the people etc etc'.

Being included in the European election might help to heal division, particularly if campaigning preceded a second referendum. A bit of a diversion.

No question, just a comment really. I hope you find it interesting.

[AnnaSoubryMP]

@Burpsandfustles

Anna are you able to understand why leave won and why people voted leave, leaving aside the nonsense arguments that they are all stupid and purely read the side of the bus, were mis informed etc etc.

Do you respect that actually, whilst on both sides a minority vote will be mis informed (on bothsides) actually most leave voters have valid reasons to want to leave.

Do you respect and understand that and understand their reasons.

It's just for me, I can argue for both sides. I started voted remain, however it was an obvious choice really and since the vote I have educated myself on why voters went leave, on the the eu... And all the worrying issues with it and I can assure you I would vote leave, if there was a second referendum and several friends and colleagues would actually do the same.

Every political upheaval will cause worry, stress to the Economy etc. But that's not a reason to make change where its deemed necessary.
It concerns me that some people seemed so entrenched and perhaps, lacking the skills to see both sides of the argument.. Is why we ended up in this predicament in the first place.

I would like politicians to be bright enough and educated enough to be able to debate and see both sides of any argument.

Absolutely I understand - people voted for a whole manner of reasons. I respect all those reasons. Some of my best friends voted leave! But the people I am most concerned about are those who voted leave because they feel totally left behind and feel they have no real say in their own future. So I have always said I want to be tough on Brexit and the causes of Brexit!

[AnnaSoubryMP]

@StephanieNicks

Hello Anna

How do you justify supporting Theresa May's government in the vote of no confidence when you had voted against her Withdrawal Agreement. Why put the Tory Party before the best interest of your country?

I absolutely put my country's interests first and foremost. The last thing we want is a General Election - it wouldn't solve the Brexit crisis in any event.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I wish that party politics could be set aside for this discussion :( We need cross party focus.

[AnnaSoubryMP]

@Violetparis

Thank you for coming on here to answer questions. If there was another vote on no confidence in the government how would you vote ?

Against a vote of no confidence. We don't need a general election. It wouldn't solve anything.

[horsemadmom]

You have the luxury of being wrong. We don't. Will you encourage the centrist Labour MPs to form a new party? They seem to be more in love with a political label than their own conciences.

[SillySallySingsSongs]

I'm really sorry about the abuse you face and I understand why so many Jewish people feel so threatened, with the current climate in the Labour Party, which is totally unacceptable. A People's Vote and ensuring Jeremy Corbyn doesn't get into power are not incompatible.*

Thank you Anna. I know of Jewish families that will leave the UK if he gwts into power.

[merrymouse]

I have no idea how it's possible to sort out Brexit, but it's increasingly apparent that whatever we do more time is needed. I am concerned that 'No Deal' is being portrayed by some MPs as a way of 'getting on with it' as though somehow all the existing problems disappear because nothing has been agreed. Isn't it time to ask for an extension to Article 50?

[AnnaSoubryMP]

@Eyewhisker

Anna. Thank you for having integrity and standing up to the pressure of the Brexiteers. You are one of my heroes.

Please can you explain why you are not backing Labour’s amendment which includes the option of a people’s vote? We really need politicians to put the interests of the country before party loyalty.

I absolutely am putting the national interest first, and if I may say, at some personal cost. Threats to my well-being and of deselection! I want a vote on a people's vote, and Labour's amendment doesn't deliver that. It's a step in the right direction but the Labour leadership is still not carrying out its conference policy which is to back a people's vote now.

[MacarenaFerreiro]

Are we going to see a No Deal Brexit? And what, in basic terms, will that look like?

[AnnaSoubryMP]

@TheNumberfaker

Hi Anna, thank you for putting country before party, putting the needs of the country before the misled wishes of your constituents. Thank you for standing up for what is best for the country rather than a misinformed and illegally campaigned for referendum result.
My question is what would you want a referendum question to be? I can’t see anything being acceptable other than the WA+PD v remain as no-deal would bring economic chaos and break the GFA and there is no other deal on offer from the EU27.

A Brexit deal v remain. Though I do appreciate there is a strong argument for a deliverable no deal also by some means to be an option. But once we have established a principal of a people's vote then parliament can determine the questions.

[borntobequiet]

Good morning Anna. I have a great deal of respect for you and the opinions you express in the face of adversity.
I think that the educational system does not prepare people properly for lives as active involved citizens. I also believe that the first past the post system effectively disenfranchises people, so they don't even bother to get involved. What are your thoughts on this?

[AnnaSoubryMP]

@ChardonnaysPrettySister

I think a No Deal Brexit will be a disaster.

I went to two big marches, I wrote to my MP about it but it seems too little.
What else can I do?

Keep on writing to your MP and supporting the People's Vote campaign, especially locally.

[AnnaSoubryMP]

@TresDesolee

Hello Anna

I heard you talking about immigration and about how you talk to anti-immigration constituents about the topic - I think it was on the Nick Robinson podcast a while back. You were really impressive.

I think lots of us understand that MPs are frightened about how some of the public behave towards them, especially after Jo Cox’s murder. Do you think MPs should have more protection or security than they currently do? Or is it more that you think the police should do more with the powers they already have?

Thank you for your support on immigration. I think the problems I had were fundamentally because the police didn't do their job but I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say that I do worry about my own safety. I am very aware.

[FuzzyShadowChatter]

I'm curious to the benefits the Conservatives foresees in moving some of the immigration services to a private "commercial partner" Sopra Steria over the existing service. I know this service is pretty new so there isn't any firm numbers yet, but it seems odd that while fighting for better results for immigrants, immigrants and being encouraged to use a company with an unclear website and an unclear track record.

The document checking service, for example, which some councils currently provide. The councils typically specifically warn that they can't give any legal advice on them - they're just checking completion and things - but I can't find anything about whether the Sopra Steria's document checking service is the same or not. I'm concerned vulnerable immigrants - EU and non-EU - may be paying for more than what is actually available as Sopra Steria's website will be paying thinking they are getting more than what is actually there.

Right now with the options between the 'new' commercial service and the 'existing' service, it's really murky what is going on with this new company in the mix.

[bellabelly]

Hi Anna, I just wanted to say thank you for sticking your neck out and standing up for what you believe in, rather than toeing party line. We need more like you in parliament. Will you be supporting Labour amendment?

[AnnaSoubryMP]

@borntobequiet

Good morning Anna. I have a great deal of respect for you and the opinions you express in the face of adversity.
I think that the educational system does not prepare people properly for lives as active involved citizens. I also believe that the first past the post system effectively disenfranchises people, so they don't even bother to get involved. What are your thoughts on this?

I wouldn't change the voting system but I accept it makes it difficult for third parties to break through but where there's a will there's a way! One thing that has really struck me about the People's Vote is how many young people are involved and one of the positives of Brexit is that an usually large number of young people are looking at Brexit and they realise that they will bear the brunt of it and they are demanding a say in their future. I don't subscribe to the idea that young people don't care - it's not been my experience. Young people care about all manner of issues.

[TresDesolee]

(Cheeky follow up, sorry) did you see the channel 4 Brexit drama that focused on Dominic Cummings? What did you think?

[AnnaSoubryMP]

@horsemadmom

You have the luxury of being wrong. We don't. Will you encourage the centrist Labour MPs to form a new party? They seem to be more in love with a political label than their own conciences.

That is up for them - all I know is that I am very happy to work cross party.

[umpteennamechanges]

Hi Anna,

Irrespective of what outcome you would like, how would you personally rate the probability of:

No Deal
Withdrawal Agreement
Revoke/Remain
People's Vote

[reallybadidea]

Thank you for answering my question. I'm not sure whether I'm allowed a second one, but if I am:

As far as I understand, there is just no way round the Northern Ireland thing? There legally has to be some sort of border between us and the EU if we're not in the single market. A hard border with Ireland would be illegal because of the Good Friday agreement and likely provoke violence. A border in the Irish Sea would upset the DUP. No Deal would mean that there still has to be a border somewhere. So there is literally no way around it based on EU law and the Good Friday agreement. Is this correct and if so surely the only options are to either have a permanent customs union or revoke article 50?

[AnnaSoubryMP]

@Megthehen

A misled bigot here - do you think that uncontrolled low/no wage immigration has benefited local native populations in terms of access to/quality of education, healthcare, community cohesion, employment or is it just good for business?

I don't agree with your analysis with respect. We have a national living wage and whilst I accept that there are parts of Britain that think that migrant workers have had some adverse effect on their local economy, the evidence suggests otherwise. Because migrants overwhelmingly pay tax and national insurance, and make a huge contribution to their local economy. Migrant workers also do a richv ariety of jobs and we know that our NHS care homes and food producers, agricultural sector etc etc will suffer without the free movement of people. I think the real problem is that we haven't positively made the case for immigration, it's hugely benefited our country for centuries, not just economically but also culturally.

[user1471448556]

Thank you so much for sticking to your principles and for speaking out against Brexit.
But why is the Tory government completing ignoring the 48%+ who do not want Brexit and who do not want their rights as EU citizens being stripped from them against their will. There has been no attempt by May to seek a compromise position and acknowledge our concerns. Instead we have been insulted and are never included in her assumptions/assertions about 'the British people'. Why is that?

[CatJenna]

Hi Anna,

What do you think the EU will look like in the future, with its aims of ever more centralisation, EU army and so on? If it was possible to change it from within surely this would have happened by now?

[AnnaSoubryMP]

@merrymouse

I have no idea how it's possible to sort out Brexit, but it's increasingly apparent that whatever we do more time is needed. I am concerned that 'No Deal' is being portrayed by some MPs as a way of 'getting on with it' as though somehow all the existing problems disappear because nothing has been agreed. Isn't it time to ask for an extension to Article 50?

I agree with your analysis about those who are pushing for no deal - which would be the worst outcome. I do want us to make progress as you know my view is that we need a people's vote. In any event we will need to extend Article 50 and I am backing Yvette Cooper's bill which not only sees off no deal, but also accepts much of the reality of the situation we're in.