Oxfordshire's MPs on Brexit: five questions answered (or ignored)

Two of the six MPs failed to respond entirely, while one – who stepped down from a position in the foreign office over Brexit - simply ignored the questions and wrote a statement instead. All three are Conservatives.

The county’s MPs were each asked to briefly outline their overall positions and answer the questions below.

1. On a scale of 1 (catastrophic) to 10 (sunny uplands), how would a no-deal scenario impact Oxfordshire?

2. Yes or no: do you support a second referendum?

3. Will Theresa May still be in place by March 2019?

4. When it comes to Brexit, what should your constituents be A) most concerned about and B) most positive about?

5. How has the way your constituency voted impacted your position on Brexit?

Oxford East Labour MP Anneliese Dodds summarised her position by saying: “At the moment, it looks as though the Conservatives will only be willing to provide Parliament with two unsatisfactory options - to accept Theresa May’s flawed deal, or to leave the EU without a deal.

“Frankly, I cannot imagine any circumstances in which May could push her deal through. It abjectly fails Keir Starmer’s ‘six tests’ (which I stood on last year during the general election, as the basis upon which I’d judge any Brexit deal).

“In those circumstances, the logical thing to do then would be to have a general election.”

The Labour member responded to the five questions as follows:

1. “2 - very negative impact indeed.”

2. “My preference is for a general election, assuming Theresa May can’t produce a deal that meets Labour’s tests. If we can’t get this, then all options should be on the table- and that includes potentially a (different) referendum (if it’s described as a second referendum, then it could create a huge backlash).”

3. “I hope not.”

4. A) “The impact of a no-deal Brexit on local jobs, EU residents living here, our scientific links, and more.” B) “The government has maintained there will be ‘countervailing opportunities’ from a no-deal Brexit- but I’m yet to find anyone in Oxford who thinks there would be any such opportunities.”

5. “I campaigned for the UK to remain in the EU and have not changed my view that we still need to coordinate with other countries on a range of issues, and the EU is the easiest way of doing this.

“It was encouraging that a large majority of Oxford residents agreed. The battle now is whether we leave in a chaotic way, without any deal with the EU, or with a very poor deal with the EU which severs our links with our trading, scientific and cultural partners.

“Whichever way people voted, I don’t believe they voted to have this kind of ‘lemming-style’ exit from the EU - and that’s what I will continue to campaign against.”

Unsurprisingly, Ms Dodds’ position matches the line from the Labour party more generally, though that has often been interpreted as deliberately vague.

Similarly, Oxford West and Abingdon Lib Dem MP Layla Moran - who has long been an outspoken remainer - places emphasis on a second referendum, in line with her party’s position.

Ms Moran said: “There is no Brexit deal that will be as good as the current, bespoke deal that the UK enjoys as a member of the EU.

“Any deal will be damaging to the UK and looks certain to be rejected by Parliament. On the other hand, a no-deal Brexit will cost the UK £36 billion. Theresa May offers a choice between no deal and a bad deal, which is tantamount to choosing which foot to fire the gun at.

“I demand better. The people must be given the final say on Brexit, whatever deal they manage to cobble together, but critically it must also include an option to remain.”

The Liberal Democrat member responded to the five questions as follows:

1. “Catastrophic. A no deal Brexit scenario would be disastrous for jobs, the economy, society and people’s families across our county.”

2. “It is my belief that we must have a referendum on the final Brexit deal. Rather than being a ‘second referendum’ it would be the first referendum on the facts and on the deal. It would be a straight choice: the Government’s deal versus remaining in the European Union.”

3. “Who knows. Whilst I am keen to get rid of Theresa May and this Conservative-DUP Government, the thought of having Boris Johnson or Jacob Rees-Mogg as Prime Minister is terrifying. I am also worried that Jeremy Corbyn is also backing a hard Brexit and refuses to support a People’s Vote.”

4. A) “I can’t think of anything that people can be positive about.” B) “In terms of concerns, it depends on each individual’s situation. Some will be concerned for themselves or family members in terms of the situation for EU citizens after Brexit.

“Others will be concerned about the loss of rights to work or study; many will be worried about the impact of leaving the single market and customs union on their jobs or businesses.”

5. “Oxford West and Abingdon voted overwhelmingly to remain. During the General Election campaign, I said I would fight to remain in the EU. I was elected with the support of residents from all parties who wanted to elect a pro-EU MP and to deprive Theresa May of a majority.

“That said, I always make sure the voice of those in my constituency who voted to Leave are heard in Government.”

Conservative Ed Vaizey, who represents Wantage, did not outline his overall position, but did responded to the questions as follows:

1. “5.”

2. “No.”

3. “Yes.”

4. A) “Access to skills and ability to import.” B) “Exports to Europe.”

5. “No, I have always been a remainer.”

Despite being specifically asked to respond directly to the questions, Conservative Robert Courts, who represents Witney, declined to do so, and instead replied: “We are now reaching a critical moment and, as tends to be the case in all negotiations, talks may well go right down to the wire.

The Brexit-backing former parliamentary private secretary to the foreign office continued: “I, like everyone else, want to see a negotiated outcome based on free-trade and close, friendly, mutual co-operation between neighbours.

“It is now up to the Government and EU negotiators to come together to reach a deal in the best interests of both sides. In doing so, it is important that the fundamental concerns over democracy and accountability which lay at the heart of the vote to Leave are addressed.”

Conservative MPs John Howell, who represents Henley, and Victoria Prentis, who represents Banbury, failed to respond to multiple requests for comment. Both voted remain.