Guildford Borough Council Says ‘No’ to ‘People’s Vote’ on Brexit

Published on: 5 Dec, 2018
Updated on: 5 Dec, 2018

By Eleanor Fleming

Local Democracy Reporter

Guildford Borough Council will not support a ‘People’s Vote’ for another EU referendum, with the leader declaring “Brexit is for parliament”.

Cllr Paul Spooner opposed the motion calling on him to “write to the four MPs representing residents of this borough asking them to support a ‘People’s Vote’”.

Instead, as stated in an amended motion, he will ask MPs to “note the main sentiments of the meeting, together with any specific concerns raised by councillors in the debate, including in particular, a request that they urge the Government to ensure that, whatever the outcome, local government services to our residents are safeguarded”.

Cllr Caroline Reeves

The motion to support a People’s Vote was proposed by Liberal Democrat councillor Caroline Reeves.

She said: “Many people did not understand what they were voting for, or if they did at the time, things have changed so much since then that they really don’t understand the direction we’re going.

“I think it’s very sad, as a country, that we’re in this situation. The fact that our government is found to be in contempt of parliament is really quite shocking.

“As I say, we just seem to be in a total mess.”

Cllr Christian Holliday

However, councillor Christian Holliday argued: “Forcing the people to vote again just because the result of the first referendum is disliked by a small minority of remainers is straight out of the EU textbook of how to ignore the wishes of ordinary people”.

The discussion continued for more than 40 minutes, with many councillors echoing Cllr Spooner’s sentiment that this debate “does not belong in this chamber”.

Guildford Greenbelt Group councillor, Susan Parker, said: “If an election is held on the basis of inadequate information, or distortions, then we have a right to reconsider.

“The information supplied at the time of the referendum was incomplete.”

However, councillor Alexandra Chesterfield said: “A People’s Vote would be a disaster for democracy.”

The meeting resulted in a majority vote for the amended motion, with 27 councillors voting for the amendment, 6 voting against and 2 abstaining.

Share This Post