“We need to talk about the Union” says newly formed ‘Conservative Union Research Group’. In July, seventy Conservative backbenchers launched the group in support of “strengthening the union.” Amongst its members is Wrexham’s MP, Sarah Atherton.
Commenting on the launch, Sarah said:
“I campaigned and was elected on a manifesto which said we would leave the EU – but it also said we would strengthen the Union. This group has been set up to help the government do just that. I am committed to keeping this United Kingdom together. I believe our Union is a force for good – for us and for the world.”
“It is time to talk about the Union. We each have stories about what the United Kingdom means to us – I would love to hear from people what it means to each of them.”
“The question of who we are as a nation is a really important one. Our country has over three hundred years’ history of growth, change and development. That is real strength and makes me optimistic for the challenges we face in the future.”
During the pandemic, Wrexham has benefitted from unprecedented support from the UK Government; from the Furlough Scheme which has supported more than 9.6 million jobs, to the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ providing much needed support for our hospitality sector. This support has been replicated in every corner of the United Kingdom.
The UK has left the EU and the government is negotiating the terms of future trading relations with the EU. The Transition Period for these negotiations will come to an end on 31st December 2020.
Sarah Atherton said:
“The Union is as relevant now as it has ever been throughout our three-hundred-year history. The votes I have cast in the last few months for agriculture, fisheries, international trade and more have all been about who we are as a United Kingdom and our future. This is not nostalgia or backward looking – voters elected me and a Party to shape our place in the world. A strong United Kingdom is at the heart of that vision.”
Parliament returns after the summer recess on the 1st September. One of the first items of business for members will be considering a new UK Internal Markets Bill.
Commenting on the UK Internal Market, Sarah said:
“The economy of the UK is the sixth largest in the world. It is important we keep that strength. We will bring back powers from Europe to every part of the UK and make sure that businesses have the certainty they need for trading and investment. We will make sure that goods and services can move around within the UK as they do right now.”