Bermondsey and Old Southwark’s MP Neil Coyle has revealed he will vote against Article 50 – the government’s formal notification of leaving the EU – when it comes to the House of Commons.
His Dulwich and West Norwood counterpart Helen Hayes is saying she will do the same unless there is another referendum on the details of the Brexit plan.
MP Neil ruled out passing the legislation as he would not “support anything in parliament that could harm our community”.
“Article 50 is a case in point. The referendum result has already damaged opportunities and jobs as well as caused tensions and a rise in some crimes,” he said.
“Actually leaving the EU would be a thousand times worse. My role is also to represent the whole community – including local children who stand to lose the most but had no say in the debate.
“I cannot support triggering Article 50 and stand by my promise.”
Meanwhile Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, said she would vote against Article 50 unless a second referendum on a “detailed Brexit proposal or a general election” had been held.
Southwark’s third MP, Harriet Harman, MP for Camberwell and Peckham, said she would not “take a position” on the vote at present, but would once more information was available on what they would be voting for.
In June’s referendum on whether the United Kingdom should leave the European Union, the Leave vote won nationally with 52% of the vote.
In Southwark, however, the majority of voters indicated that they would like to Remain, with 72.3 per cent in favour of staying in the EU.
With a turnout at 66.3 per cent, 94,293 voted to Remain and 35,209 voted Leave.
The Government has said it plans to trigger Article 50 from the Lisbon Treaty by the end of March next year, which will start a two-year countdown after which the Treaties that govern the EU will no longer apply to the UK.