Angela Richardson and Boris Johnson

From: Mark Bray-Parry

spokesperson for the Guildford Green Party

I am pleased that Angela Richardson has made this statement rather than keep her decision private. We had a decade of Anne Milton backing a PM and government until Brexit saw them diverge and ultimately depart.

In the short time that Ms Richardson has been MP, we have seen that there are occasions where she is willing to speak against the government, most notably on issues of integrity, such as the Owen Paterson vote, changing the ministerial code, and now this.

However, the natural consequence of a willingness to stand against the PM and government is that Angela will not be able to hide behind the Conservative party vote as Anne Milton did for so many years. Now Ms Richardson will own each and every vote she makes.

I only hope that she is as open with Guildford and Cranleigh residents, as she has been over the no-confidence vote, when it comes to explaining votes such as:

• stripping away democratic rights away;
• taking an authoritative approach to school and university teachings;
• allowing our rivers to be polluted;
• allowing increased fracking and North Sea oil extraction.

I will certainly welcome an open dialogue with our MP.