Thank you for your email and if you have been waiting for a response for
over a week, please may I start by apologising? The timetable for how
this Bill will pass through Parliament has only just been established in
the last few days.

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling on 24 January, I have received
hundreds of emails from constituents on both sides of the argument
asking for my views and voting intentions. Given the tight timescales
for the Bill, I fear I would be unable to answer each email individually
so have instead attempted to answer all questions here. I have also
placed this statement on my website.

Can we overturn the result of the referendum?
Since the result, I have received a steady flow of emails requesting I
act to overturn the referendum result on the basis of the slim majority,
it being deemed advisory and concerns about turnout thresholds. So I
should start by reminding constituents that Parliament passed the
European Referendum Act 2015 by a majority of 491. It followed normal
parliamentary procedure and was scrutinised heavily by both the House of
Commons and House of Lords.

The European Referendum Act 2015 does not contain any provisions for a
minimum or maximum turnout threshold, nor any threshold measures for a
gap between the proportional percentage of those choosing to leave or
remain in the EU.

The result of the referendum therefore was determined by the majority
vote as per turnout on the day and we cannot retrospectively build in
rules or criteria and question the value of the result.

I believe in democracy and therefore no matter how painful it is, we
cannot simply ignore the decision because we do not like it. Over 33
million votes were cast at the referendum. Whilst I accept it was a
close vote, there was a decisive outcome. I know many constituents
(myself included) are disappointed in the result but this is the nature
of democracy and we must accept the result.

But the majority of South Cambs voted to remain!
Since the introduction of the EU Notification of Withdrawal Bill (Art
50) last week, I have been in an uncomfortable position. On the one hand
I fully accept that as a whole, South Cambs voted to remain, but on the
other hand, MPs must also consider the national interest. We represent
our constituency, but we are not delegates. We are elected to exercise
our best judgement on behalf of the people we represent, even when this
judgement seems at odds with the wishes of our constituents.

Many of you will know by now that I am not afraid to speak out against
the Government nor do the whips hold power over me. I do not make
decisions based on ambition or career prospects, nor do I put political
allegiance above independence of thought or the needs of my constituents
and the country.

Knowing as we do, that the majority of this country and their MPs
support Brexit, the numbers are against "Remain". Brexit will be
triggered through Article 50.

I have analysed how "useful" a vote against this Bill tonight would
be. Certainly I could vote against tonight, but what would that actually
achieve? If the numbers are against us, I know it would be a hollow
gesture. Please do not think I say that flippantly or casually. I do not
underestimate the feelings of the majority of my constituents who are
desperate for us to remain - but I owe you my pragmatism as well as my
fight and my passion.

Even if all MPs voted as their constituencies did in the referendum, the
Bill would still pass. Besides, this Bill is not designed to stop
Brexit. It is a procedural Bill, giving parliamentary consent for the
Prime Minister to trigger Article 50.

What is actually being voted on tonight?
Tonight’s vote is only the first stage of the Bill. Having been
introduced to the House on 26th January, tonight is only its second
reading. It is not the end of the road.

The Bill will return to us next week as it progresses through a
Committee of the whole house. Over the course of three days, amendments
to the Bill will be split, debated and voted on according to subject
matter:
-        Mon 6 Feb – parliamentary scrutiny of the withdrawal process
and devolved administrations.
-        Tues 7 Feb – vote on the final withdrawal deal and impact
assessments.
-        Weds 8 Feb – UK’s negotiation priorities and any remaining new
clauses or amendments.

Next week’s debate is crucial, much more so than tonight's vote
Deciding not to vote against the Bill tonight does not mean I am
reconciled to the result.

Even as I write this, amendments to the Bill are being tabled thick and
fast. Over the next few days I will ensure I scrutinise all those tabled
because this is where I believe I can make a real difference as your
MP. Much more so than symbolically voting against tonight.

So far, a few have caught my eye already.  New Clauses 47 and 49 call
for impact assessments on the future of our research and development
collaborations, the single market, and the residency of our EU
citizens. New clauses 99 and 54 would respectively provide for primary
legislation to vote through any final deal, and would require the PM to
ask for an extended period of negotiation time if a final deal had not
been reached or voted through by Parliament. New clause 21 describes the
requirements of the White Paper.

You can see the full list here:
http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2016-17/europeanunionnotificationofwithdrawal/documents.html

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning next week, the Deputy Speaker
Lindsay Hoyle will select the amendments to be debated and voted on. So
it is essential that I take the next two days to fully digest the
amendments so far tabled and if I can improve on them, table one
myself.  If I feel that any amendment(s) will add safeguards and
conditions for our withdrawal deal, I will add my name and speak in the
debates. In this way, I believe I will enact more power and influence to
ensure the needs of South Cambs are met. Following this, the Bill will
progress to the House of Lords for further scrutiny. Peers may choose to
accept the Bill as is, or request further amendment. Clearly we cannot
second guess what they will do and must wait and see.

A good deal for South Cambs
In conversation with whips, they know my vote tonight does not come
freely nor easily. I have made it clear that if I do not receive
assurances, I will support any amendment that provides the protections I
believe we need in this deal. I have tried to avoid using the terms
"soft" or "hard" Brexit. However, I must be assured that we will not go
plunging out of the single market without tariff free trade for our core
industries, nor will I allow our hard working EU citizens to be
marginalised in anyway. Collaboration across the EU has been at the
heart of our success in Cambridge and the surrounding region.

I know our region is of the upmost value to the UK economy, and as such
I will demand our needs are recognised and our concerns listened to. I
will insist on regular dialogue with the DEXEU team and a voice that is
represented and echoed at the negotiating table. Please be assured I
will never stop representing South Cambs. But to serve you best, it is
critical that I retain the ability to exercise this power; an
opportunity that would undoubtedly be closed to me if I voted against
the Bill in any form.

The White Paper
The Government will soon publish a White Paper detailing our negotiation
strategy and priorities. As many of us have pressed for this ahead of
the conclusion of the Article 50 Bill, I am led to believe this may be
tomorrow. This document will give MPs the opportunity to hold the
Government to account on its’ negotiating objectives and is expected to
provide clarification for the future parliamentary timetable for Brexit
legislation in tandem with the negotiation timetable.

More votes to come
Put simply, we do not yet know the amount of Brexit legislation which
will need to be voted through the House, ahead of leaving the EU. There
have been strong indications from the Secretary of State for Exiting the
EU that, among others, Parliament will have three further significant
votes. A vote for the Great Repeal Bill, a vote on the final deal, and
then a vote to ratify the final agreement under the Constitutional
Reform Act before the official date of withdrawal. It is also likely
that there will need to be more primary legislation passed on major
policy changes such as migration or trade agreements. Because of this
future legislation, it is critical that I and my parliamentary
colleagues have the ability to fully scrutinise and challenge the
Government where necessary.

Tonight is the beginning, not the end
In conclusion, we must remember that the vote tonight is not the end –
it is only the beginning. The Prime Minister now faces a lengthy period
of negotiation and it is likely there will be compromises to the twelve
objectives she set out in her speech at Lancaster House. However, my
ability to support amendments at Committee stage next week and feed into
the negotiations will allow me to influence the highest levels of
Government on your behalf.

I ask that you put your faith in me to work to secure the best deal for
us. If at the end of the process, I am not happy with the final deal, I
will vote against it.

Best wishes,

Heidi Allen MP
Member of Parliament for South Cambridgeshire

Address: 153 St Neots Road, Hardwick, CB23 7QJ
Tel: 01954 212 707 and 0207 219 5091
Web: www.heidisouthcambs.co.uk
Twitter: @heidiallen75