Burnham-On-Sea’s MP was among the politicians in Westminster who this week have voted in favour of allowing Prime Minister Theresa May to get Brexit negotiations under way.
James Heappey voted for the government’s European Union Bill even though before last June’s referendum, he said he wanted the UK to remain in the EU.
“I’ll be voting for the Bill so that we can get on with the negotiations and deliver the Brexit that the nation – and my constituency – voted for,” he said.
“In my view, Parliament’s role is in scrutinising the negotiations, not trying to thwart them from ever beginning.”
MPs backed the government’s European Union Bill by 498 votes to 114. But the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Liberal Democrats opposed the bill, while 47 Labour MPs and Tory ex-chancellor Ken Clarke rebelled.
The bill still faces further scrutiny in the Commons and the House of Lords before it can become law.
The Prime Minister has set a deadline of 31st March for invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, getting official talks with the EU started. The bill returns to the Commons next week.
