The Liberal Democrats Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) for West Lancashire has expressed his disappointment with MP Rosie Cooper’s decision to abstain during Saturday's vote for the so called 'Letwin amendment'.

Simon Thomson told QLocal this afternoon: "I was really disappointed with Rosie Cooper’s decision to abstain, especially as she was one of only 9 Labour MP not to vote in favour the amendment, which would have ensured time for more scrutiny of Johnson’s deal and effectively prevented the Prime Minister from engineering a damaging no deal crash out at the end of October.

"By abstaining, or even considering voting in favour of the agreement, Rosie Cooper is allowing less time for scrutiny and could also be opening the door to years of Conservative Government.
“This decision was a kick in the teeth for those from West Lancashire who joined nearly a million others marching for a People’s Vote in London.”

He said that Boris Johnson’s proposed deal is hugely controversial, as it places a customs border in the Irish Sea between Britain and Northern Ireland and the commitment to a level playing field regarding employment rights and environmental standards has been erased from the legally binding Withdrawal Agreement and moved to the non-binding political declaration.

Added Simon: “Independent forecasts have suggested that Johnson’s deal that GDP per person will be around £2,000 less, whilst former Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, stated on Sky News that the Government’s own assessments are that this would hurt the economy by 4-6% a year.

"This will result in less money for the things residents in West Lancashire really care about such as local hospitals and schools, indeed these services have already been starved of cash by successive Conservative governments.

“Business, including a number of businesses based in and around West Lancashire, have also expressed concerns over this deal. Chief Executives from the aerospace, automotive, food and drink, chemicals, and pharmaceutical sectors are worried that they would be excluded from EU regulatory institutions, something that would increase their costs. By opting for a form of hard Brexit the Government would be adding to the costs of many businesses and potentially reducing the competitiveness of West Lancashire based businesses in the European Union.

“West Lancashire residents should also be worried by the fact that a number of Conservative MPs would like to have a race to the bottom in terms of employment rights and environmental standards, removing hard won rights and protections that people enjoy. This could usher in American style employment laws and standards on environmental protections, which may result in more fracking of the type planned at Great Altcar.

“It’s clear that Johnson’s deal needs far more scrutiny, indeed I stand with those residents from West Lancashire who marched in London on Saturday. Whilst I would like to see Article 50 revoked, in line with Liberal Democrat policy, a People’s Vote would give the public a chance to have their say on whether they want to remain or depart with this deal.
“If people, like Rosie Cooper, are tempted to believe the promises made by this Prime Minster they should remember how quickly the Democratic Unionist Party were sold down the river.

"It would seem that this Prime Minister’s guarantees have all the credibility of a warranty from Del Boy.”

Simon's pictured with Our Future Our Choice campaigner Femi Oluwole (left) at a recent West Lancashire People’s Vote event in Aughton