Emma Reynolds, Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East, has welcomed the start of formal negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union but she has also warned about the dangers of leaving the EU without a deal in place. Speaking about the start of the negotiations, Emma said: “I campaigned to remain in the EU, but I accept the result of the referendum and I welcome the start of the negotiations today. My focus is getting the best possible deal for the people of Wolverhampton.

“Walking away without a deal, as the PM repeatedly threatened, would have catastrophic results for our economy, for jobs, for investment and for the living standards of people in Wolverhampton. It would mean losing the barrier-free and tariff-free access we currently benefit from with the other 27 EU countries. David Davis recently admitted to the Brexit Select Committee that the government has not assessed the impact on jobs, investment and the economy of leaving without a deal. This is both irresponsible and complacent. The EU is our biggest export market. That’s why access to the European market is vital for local aerospace and car manufacturers who employ tens of thousands of people in Wolverhampton and the West Midlands.

“This is the most important peacetime challenge this country has faced in generations. During the negotiations I will be standing up for Wolverhampton in Parliament and I will scrutinise the government through my work on the Brexit Select Committee. I believe that Parliament needs to hold the government to account at every stage of the process. We live in a parliamentary democracy. Therefore it is only right that MPs have the opportunity to question the government during the negotiations and to vote on the final deal before the European Parliament does.”

March 2017