Steve Brine says he has been ‘overwhelmed’ by the response from constituents to his vote to block a ‘No-Deal’ last Tuesday night in the Commons.
The Winchester & Chandler’s Ford MP voted three times for Theresa May’s EU Withdrawal Bill, with a view to the UK leaving the EU safely, but has said he cannot accept a chaotic exit without a withdrawal agreement in place.
As a consequence of his vote, the MP had the Conservative Whip suspended and now sits as an Independent MP in Parliament.
Steve said: “The response from constituents when I resigned as a Minister in the Spring was huge but the response in the past week, including last weekend as I continued my work as a constituency MP, has been completely overwhelming.
“Whether people voted leave or remain, whether they are supporters of mine or not, they have been really keen to recognise in these cynical times an MP who put himself on the line.”
The experienced MP confirmed his office had received more messages than on any specific vote over the course of his near-decade representing the constituency, and is contemplating the future.
He added: “I’ve received thousands of messages and had countless conversations face to face, pretty much all supportive of the move to speak out against a no-deal Brexit and urging me to stay as Winchester’s MP.
“I need to take further soundings, which the unnecessarily long prorogation now allows, and talk to my family, so I will do that and at this stage all options absolutely remain on the table.”
Pictured; Steve resumed his Summer Tour the day after Parliament’s prorogation with a marathon street surgery at the Buttercross in Winchester City Centre.
