There has been much discussion and speculation on the draft Brexit agreement and where each of us as MPs stand on the proposed deal. I want to share with you my views at this stage.

Prior to the referendum, I supported leaving the EU and I was up front with my constituents about my views and campaigned publicly in St Albans.  I still strongly believe that our future is better off outside of the EU. Having the ability to; determine our own laws, control our borders,  have an independent global trade policy and autonomy over how we raise and spend UK tax-payers money are the fundamental reasons why I believe we should be leaving the EU.

I argued at the time that we, as politicians, should respect the outcome of the referendum.  We must now accept that over 17 million people would not forgive us if we simply put this duty to deliver in the "too difficult" box and asked them to think again.  This view was supported by nearly 100% of the House on a cross-party basis when we voted to trigger Article 50 and set in motion our decision to leave the EU. Both major parties also endorsed that in their 2017 manifestos.

Sadly, the calls for another referendum have, in my view, done little to strengthen our negotiating hand and have been very unhelpful to our Prime Minister. A second referendum would achieve nothing and would cause even further divisions in the country. It would destroy the British public’s confidence in our democracy and that cannot happen.

Consequently, I do not think that we have secured the best deal for our departure from the EU and I agree with former Brexit secretary, David Davis, and others that there is still time to try to re-negotiate this proposal to deliver a better outcome.

If there are not significant changes to the withdrawal agreement then I will not support it.

Given the backlash across the House, from those who have voted both leave and remain, Labour or Conservative, this proposed deal is seen to be heavily flawed, especially with regard to the backstop and our inability to leave this unilaterally.  I hope that the option of re-negotiation is explored and that parties return to the table to hammer out a better deal.  Locking ourselves into a bad deal will be detrimental for the future of this country and future generations.

There has been much scaremongering over the consequences of a “no deal” exit.  I accept there are concerns and there will be challenges, however, I believe there are significant opportunities for us as a global trading nation if we are to leave the EU, without paying almost £40bn and without tying ourselves to the EU for years in perpetuity.

I do think there is still time and I believe that the Prime Minister can achieve a deal that will satisfy the majority in the House of Commons and will bring people together in support of it. I hope the government now work hard to address the issues raised by MPs and seek changes to this flawed draft agreement.

Anne Main MP