Alex Hegenbarth Demanding Better for the Tewkesbury Constituency - contact@alexhegenbarth.com
Get to know Alex
What I stand for
Coronavirus - Advice & Support
Tewkesbury Liberal Democrats
Lib Dems call on Laurence Robertson MP to back international law
Posted by Tewkesbury Lib Dems | Updated 2020-09-09
Following the Government's decision to introduce legislation which would undermine key aspects of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, Tewkesbury Liberal Democrat's parliamentary spokesperson Alex Hegenbarth is calling on local MP Laurence Robertson to clarify his stance on adherence to international law.
"Boris Johnson is preparing to rip up the rule-book so I am writing to Laurence Robertson to request his assurances that he will uphold our international commitments - will he vote for credibility or chaos?
"This government is playing fast and loose with our international commitments. At a time when the economy has already been severely weakened by the Covid-19 pandemic, people in our area need assurances that there will be a proper settlement with our nearest neighbours across the channel. It is in no-one's interests to create a major legal and trade dispute to add further uncertainty on top of our already extremely challenging economic position.
"Any attempt to tear up commitments made to Northern Ireland under the Good Friday Agreement and confirmed in the Withdrawal Agreement could have very serious consequences for the UK. These could include international legal action and a downgrading of our reliability as a trading partner around the world, threatening our businesses at an already difficult time; as well as a potentially catastrophic destabilisation of relationships on the island of Ireland."
The Lib Dem's Brexit Spokesperson, Christine Jardine MP said:
"The head of the Government's own legal department quitting over Boris Johnson's approach to Brexit should signal how serious a situation this is.
"For Johnson to think it is acceptable to row back on international agreements and assurances made to Northern Ireland shows he has no respect for international law or the UK's obligations.
"How can the UK expect other countries, like China, to respect the international treaties we hold with them if we don't do the same when it comes to the Withdrawal Agreement?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Text of letter to Laurence Robertson MP
Dear Laurence,
I am writing to request that you clarify your position on the UK's commitments to international law and treaty obligations.
Following the resignation of Sir Jonathan Jones, the head of the Government's legal department and the extraordinary comments from the Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis that the proposed Northern Ireland customs rules legislation will "break international law", I would like to ask you to confirm that you would not vote for any legislation that would undermine the UK's historic commitments to international rule of law.
As I know you are aware, any attempt to tear up commitments made to Northern Ireland under the Good Friday Agreement and confirmed in the Withdrawal Agreement could have very serious consequences for the UK. These could include international legal action and a downgrading of our reliability as a trading partner around the world, threatening our businesses at an already difficult time; as well as a potentially catastrophic destabilisation of relationships on the island of Ireland.
I am sure you would share my concern that, at this moment in which the country needs to re-build after the Covid-19 pandemic, it would be very damaging to create further tension and uncertainty for the businesses and residents of our area.
Alex Hegenbarth
Parliamentary Spokesperson for the Tewkesbury Liberal Democrats
Do you want to be updated by email about the Liberal Democrats' campaigns and ways to get involved?
End the Universal Credit Uncertainty
People across our area rely on the £20 weekly Universal Credit uplift to pay for essentials - but now it is under threat, as the Conservatives failed to vote to extend the scheme in Parliament. Just cancelling the cut isn't enough. We need a fairer system that covers the cost of living - not just surviving. Agree? Sign my petition to end the Universal Credit uncertainty ⬇️ https://www.alexhegenbarth.com/universal-credit-petition
Nothing But The Best for our Farmers Petition
Alex Hegenbarth and the Tewkesbury Liberal Democrats are leading the fight to make sure farmers in the Tewkesbury constituency do not lose out over Brexit.
Tewkesbury Borough Council: Declare a real Climate Emergency
The Conservative administration on Tewkesbury Borough Council voted to stop the Climate Emergency motion presented to Council from even being debated. If you agree with me that stifling debate on such a serious topic demands better, please sign my petition
Stand up to Boris Johnson - Sign our letter to our MP Laurence Robertson
The Decision by Boris Johnson to suspend Parliament in order to stop opposition to a no deal Brexit is undemocratic. Will you stand up to Boris Johnson and do everything you can to stop a damaging no deal Brexit, including the option of voting against the Government in a vote of no confidence?
Europeans' #RightToStay
Back my campaign to give security to every European settled in Britain and guarantee their #RightToStay - this is their home too.
Published and promted by Clare Softley, 55 Symphony Rd, Cheltenham, GL51 6GJ on behalf of Alex Hegenbarth and the Liberal Democrats.
The Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you have provided to contact you. Some contacts may be automated. You can opt out of communications at any time by contacting us.
Hosted by NationBuilder.