Brexit continues to be a difficult and challenging issue and I am trying to stand up for the interests of local people.

I voted for Parliament to continue to have a say in the process and for the Bill to stop the UK crashing out of the EU at the end of this week if no deal is agreed, when both of these were debated last week.

I am pleased that cross party talks are underway and I hope the Government will now listen to the concerns which have been raised about their approach and that they will agree to develop an alternative soft Brexit proposal, including a customs union and access to the single market.

I believe any new deal should be put back to the people in a second referendum, with both the new deal and remaining in the EU on the ballot paper. (I would support remaining in the EU).

And, I also believe that the Government should be prepared to revoke article 50 if no way forward is agreed this week – to avoid the risk of no deal.