Guildford’s MP Signs Letter Expressing Alarm Over PM’s Brexit “Red Lines”

Published on: 15 Aug, 2019
Updated on: 20 Aug, 2019

By Martin Giles

A letter warning Prime Minister Boris Johnson that his “Red Lines” will eliminate the chance of reaching a Brexit deal with the EU has been signed by 20 Conservative MPs, including Guildford’s MP, Anne Milton.

The recent chancellor Phillip Hammond and Winston Churchill’s grandson, Sir Nicholas Soames, were other signatories, as are other former cabinet members and junior ministers.

Ms Milton has consistently argued that, in her view, a no-deal departure from the EU would be damaging for the UK.

She has not yet responded to a Dragon invitation to comment but other factors likely to have affected her decision were the referendum vote in 2016 in which 56% of Guildford constituents voted Remain and the risk that in a general election many Conservative voters might switch to the Lib Dems who have a very clear Remain policy?

The motion adopted by a large majority at the Guildford Conservatives’ AGM in March.

Her decision is likely to have upset the majority of her fellow local party members who voted at their AGM in March to adopt a motion urging the government to press secure Brexit.

Rt Hon Anne Milton MP

One Conservative Party member, who did not wish to be named, said: “Anne doesn’t seem to be listening. Our Association passed, by a clear majority at this years AGM, a motion calling for the Government to press on with a no deal Brexit.

“Boris Johnson also has a clear mandate from the membership of the Party to pursue ‘no-deal’ if necessary. There is already much disquiet amongst the membership about Anne’s conduct over Brexit.

“If there were a snap general election it could be difficult to mobilise campaigners in Guildford if she keeps signing letters like this.”

Nonetheless, sympathisers may feel Ms Milton is, like many other Tory MPs, in a no-win situation.

Another party member, who also requested anonymity, said: “The questions posed in the letter signed by Anne Milton are reasonable ones to ask. It does not indicate a lack of support for Boris Johnson.

“Surely we expect our MP to ask searching questions. Unlike some MPs, Anne supported Brexit every time it came to Parliament and wants to see a deal that is good for Britain and for Guildford.”

Responses to Guildford’s MP Signs Letter Expressing Alarm Over PM’s Brexit “Red Lines”

Jacqueline Potts Reply

August 16, 2019 at 8:17 am

Yet another Remainer trying to overthrow the referendum result. What is it with Remainer MP’s who just cannot accept that the will of the people was to Leave the EU with or without a deal?
Stuart Barnes Reply

August 19, 2019 at 5:04 pm

What about the Conservative voters who are likely to switch to the Brexit Party?
David W Wragg Reply

August 21, 2019 at 1:42 pm

The politicians passed a decision on EU membership back to the electorate, and when they didn’t like the outcome, chose to ignore it.

The Remain side has tried Project Fear and lies. For example, they say that Churchill wanted a united Europe, but forget to say that he didn’t believe it was for us.

As a lifelong Conservative, I am ashamed at the way Theresa May handled the negotiations, she just surrendered. The failure to understand the concept of collective responsibility on the part of Cabinet members is another shocking example of the poor calibre of our current politicians.

Clearly, Anne Milton is another MP who believes that she can ignore her constituents and her general election support for the Conservative manifesto. I won’t be joining Guildford Conservatives, and I won’t be voting for her either.
Gordon Bridger Reply

August 21, 2019 at 4:08 pm

I do hope that our MP, Anne Milton, responds to The Dragon’s request to explain why she is undermining her government’s policy of seeking a better deal by objecting to its possibility.

The letter she has signed is just encouraging the EU to insist on the deal which has been rejected three times by Parliament because it is an infringement of the integrity of the country, it ties us into an economic and political arrangement which is foundering, and restricts our legal decision-making capacity. The May deal would be a disastrous solution for us.

If Ms Milton and her friends are successful does she really think the EU is going to come up with a better deal? Why should they? So could she please be clear what she hopes will result if she undermines her Government’s negotiating capacity and succeeds?