Berwick MP under fire for EU exit stance

Last week, we reported that Conservative Anne-Marie Trevelyan has backed a European Union exit, saying the UK-EU renegotiations will achieve little.

She said: “I have always been clear that unless dramatic changes to our relationship with the EU is actually achieved I will be personally be voting to leave the EU, and campaigning in the same way.

“I have consistently supported the Prime Minister’s efforts to secure a new deal from the EU, but it has become clear that despite the Greek crisis, the refugee crisis, border-control chaos and economic stagnation, the EU still doesn’t see the need for fundamental reform.”

Paul Brannen MEP said: “Our EU membership is a core part of our economy and allows businesses across the North East to trade and grow.

“The Northumberland economy is heavily reliant on support from the Common Agriculture Policy which is certainly more generous than anything that Westminster would introduce if we were to leave the EU, hence part of the reason why the Scottish NFU have announced that they are in favour of our continued EU membership.

“Tory grandee William Hague has said that the implications of a vote to leave the EU would be to bring about the end of the United Kingdom, as another independence referendum in Scotland would be inevitable.

“The Berwick constituency has a long 100-mile border with Scotland and the implications of border controls and the building of a fence or wall to divide the two countries would be a very real prospect.

“As many people, including my brother-in-law, live on one side of the border and work on the other the practical implications would be huge.

“I hope people in the Berwick-upon-Tweed constituency will challenge Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP on the position she has adopted as it will be bad for local people.”

At the weekend, Mrs Trevelyan and Labour MP for Blyth Valley, Ronnie Campbell, were both campaigning for Vote Leave in their respective constituencies.