In 2016, the British people were asked whether they wanted to remain in the EU or leave the EU and 33.5 million people freely voted for their preferred option. Before the referendum was held, I said I would honour the result: I believe for democracy to flourish we must give people confidence their vote will mean something through being implemented. Many people who voted in 2016 did so for the first time in their lives. There would be disastrous political […]
Tags: Brexit, EU, FAQ, Referendum
Last night, the House of Commons voted on second reading of the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill. The result was 498 in favour with 114 against, a majority of 384. Only one Conservative MP voted against the principle of the Bill. A full list by party of how MPs voted may be found here. There were some outstanding speeches in the course of the debate. Former minister and staunch supporter of the European Union Alistair Burt said, after explaining he would […]
Tags: Democracy, EU, EU referendum, Parliament, Referendum, Wycombe
As I said on Twitter, just half a day’s net EU contribution would cover this year’s deficit at Bucks NHS Trust. That’s one reason why the safer choice on 23 June is to Vote Leave, so we can spend our money on our priorities. Via Vote Leave:
Tags: EU, NHS, Referendum, TakeControl
At the time of writing, with over 57% of the Greek referendum result known, it appears the result is 61% no and 39% yes. Today’s dramatic result is a wake-up call for the failed EU Establishment. Even the most vulnerable small nation will not be bullied by supranational authorities. The result reflects the politics of neither left nor right but the democratic rejection of an imposed solution to the country’s problems. Whatever we may think of the politics and economics […]
Tags: Democracy, EU, Greece, Parliament, Referendum
I received today a copy of Ewen Stewart‘s paper for the Scottish Research Society, Much Cost, Little Benefit – The economic consequences of Scottish separation. This excellent paper covers currency, debt and borrowing, public spending and taxation, oil revenues, the Scottish banks, trade, population, energy, defence and more. The conclusion is robust: Scotland will either choose continuing union or separation this September. If Scotland chooses separation, it will not be in any true sense independent. It could not exercise policy in […]
Tags: economics, Policy, Referendum, Scotland, UK
Only the Conservatives can and will give you a referendum on the EU.
Tags: Conservatives, EU, EU referendum, Europe, Parliament, Referendum
The Fresh Start Project has recently produced a paper on the EU and the UK’s micro-business: Constraining What should be Nurtured. Written by my colleagues Anne Marie Morris and Andrea Leadsom, the report argues that national governments must retain the right to implement their own definitions of what constitutes a micro business. Their preferred approach would see micro businesses in the UK defined as those employing fewer than five people with a turnover of less than £250,000. They recommend three […]
Tags: Business, Democracy, EU, European Union, Referendum, Trade
You can choose whatever name you like for the two types of government. I personally call the type of government which can be removed without violence “democracy”, and the other “tyranny”. — Karl Popper Before the Lisbon Treaty, I had no interest in being an MP. That Treaty was introduced to sidestep democratic rejection of the near-identical EU Constitution: I saw democracy dying at the hands of fanatical advocates of European political integration. Previously, I thought it was enough to vote Conservative […]
Tags: Democracy, EU, Europe, Liberty, Parliament, People's Pledge, Referendum
The Government has decided to remain a member of the European Defence Agency (EDA). The EDA is part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). It is yet another area of mission creep by the European Union towards a unified foreign affairs policy. Ultimately, it would rival and undermine the strength of NATO. As the third largest contributor to the EDA after Germany and France in 2012, the British Government should consider the Agency’s objectives and whether it is […]
Tags: CFSP, Defence, EU, European Defence Agency, European Union, Liberty, Referendum
There is much fretting in the Commons today. Conservative MPs are torn between the demands of party discipline and their higher loyalty to constituents and the country. Many colleagues are wrestling with their consciences. It’s because at 7pm we’ll be voting on whether to approve an increase in the EU Budget. Not for this year or next year, but for the next 7 years. This increase would be in line with inflation — some other countries are calling for a real terms increase! — but […]
Tags: EU, Europe, Parliament, Referendum
Steve Baker is the Conservative MP for Wycombe.
Steve was first elected to Parliament in 2010. He was previously an RAF engineer officer then a consulting software engineer. Find out more...
Steve holds regular surgeries in High Wycombe. If you would like an appointment, please contact me.
