On December 29, 2020, the UK Parliament voted on the post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union, negotiated by the UK government and led by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak. While the deal passed with a comfortable margin of 521 votes to 73, it is worth noting the MPs who voted against it and their reasons for doing so.
The 73 MPs who voted against the Brexit deal came from a variety of parties, including the Labour Party, Scottish National Party (SNP), Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), Plaid Cymru, and even a handful of Conservative Party MPs. Their reasons for voting against the deal ranged from concerns about the impact on jobs and the economy to issues around sovereignty and Northern Ireland.
One of the most high-profile MPs to vote against the deal was the Leader of the Opposition, Keir Starmer. Starmer had previously indicated that he would support the deal, but ultimately voted against it, citing concerns about the lack of protections for workers' rights and environmental standards. He also expressed disappointment that the deal did not include provisions for the UK's access to key security databases.
Another prominent Labour MP to vote against the deal was Emily Thornberry, the Shadow International Trade Secretary. Thornberry argued that the deal did not go far enough in protecting jobs and the economy, particularly in industries like fishing and agriculture. She also criticized the lack of provisions for services, which make up the majority of the UK economy.
The SNP, which opposed Brexit from the beginning, unanimously voted against the deal. SNP MP Drew Hendry argued that the deal failed to protect Scotland's interests and could result in significant economic damage. He also expressed concerns about the lack of provisions for the free movement of people, which could have implications for EU citizens living in Scotland and Scottish citizens living in the EU.
The DUP, which had previously supported the Conservative government, also voted against the deal. DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr. argued that the deal did not do enough to protect Northern Ireland's place within the UK, particularly in light of the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol. Paisley Jr. also criticized the lack of provisions for the fishing industry, which is important to Northern Ireland's economy.
The SDLP, which represents Northern Ireland's nationalist community, also voted against the deal. SDLP MP Claire Hanna argued that the deal did not do enough to protect the Good Friday Agreement, which brought an end to decades of conflict in Northern Ireland. Hanna expressed concerns about the potential for the deal to undermine the agreement's key principles of consent and power-sharing.
Plaid Cymru, the Welsh nationalist party, also voted against the deal. Plaid Cymru MP Ben Lake argued that the deal did not do enough to protect Welsh interests, particularly in the areas of agriculture and fisheries. He also criticized the lack of provisions for services, which are important to Wales' economy.
Finally, a handful of Conservative MPs also voted against the deal, although the vast majority supported it. One of the most high-profile Conservative rebels was former Prime Minister Theresa May, who argued that the deal did not go far enough in protecting the UK's sovereignty. May expressed concerns about the role of the European Court of Justice in interpreting the deal and the potential for disputes to be resolved through arbitration rather than UK courts.
Overall, the MPs who voted against Rishi Sunak's Brexit deal did so for a variety of reasons, but many expressed concerns about the impact on jobs and the economy, as well as issues around sovereignty and Northern Ireland. While the deal ultimately passed with a comfortable margin, the concerns of these MPs should not be overlooked, as they highlight the ongoing challenges facing the UK as it navigates its new relationship with the EU.
In conclusion, the 73 MPs who voted against Rishi Sunak's Brexit deal represented a diverse range of political parties and regions, but they shared common concerns about the impact of the deal on the UK's economy, sovereignty, and relationship with Northern Ireland. While the deal ultimately passed with a large majority, it is important to listen to the perspectives of these MPs and address their concerns as the UK moves forward in its post-Brexit relationship with the EU. The vote also highlights the ongoing challenges facing the UK as it navigates a new trade relationship with its closest trading partners, and the need for continued dialogue and cooperation with the EU.
