Bristol West MP not necessarily supportive of People’s Vote
By Patrick Sullivan, Film & TV Editor
In a Q&A organised by the SU on Saturday December 8, Thangam Debbonaire MP openly discussed her belief in exploring all the alternatives if parliament votes against Theresa May’s deal on Tuesday.
An audience of around 40 University students or staff heard Thangam, also an Opposition Whip, answer their questions on Brexit for nearly two hours, which ranged from EU citizens rights to the idea of a Norway style deal.
Reiterating that a second referendum is only one of many options, Thangam said: ‘A grown-up, sensible approach has to look at all the options and not ignore a lot of people who voted to Leave.’
Looking at the options beyond a ‘No Deal’, Theresa May’s deal and a People’s Vote, Thangam suggested her preference for a future EU relationship similar to the one Norway has.
Norway is not part of the EU, but it shares its four freedoms - the free movement of goods, services, persons and capital - without a voice on EU legislation.
She said: ‘The Norway deal is a compromise. It might not be perfect, but it gives us a lot of what we value about the EU.’
When asked if the people of her constituency, Bristol West, support a People’s Vote, Thangam replied ‘mixed’, saying: ‘In sheer numbers, the [1500] postcards I have received have been [part of the campaign] for a People’s Vote. [...But] I listen to more views than the ones who send me postcards. I listen to a range of views.’
Listening to Leave voters and compromise were two recurring points during the Q&A, despite Thangam attributing her decision to become a Whip to wanting ‘the Remain voice to be heard’.
‘My job is not to be right but to listen to different people. My job is not to further division but to create unity.’
‘When I was 21, I thought “compromise” was a dirty word [...] but now I think it’s sacred.’
Reaching out to worried EU students of the University of Bristol, the Bristol West MP said: ‘If you’re here now, you may feel you don’t want to be here, but [...] you should be able to stay on the same terms. It’s new students who will find it difficult.’
The event was organised by the Bristol SU and their Liberation, Equality and Access Officer Sally Patterson in order to ‘break down divisions caused by a lack of communication and mutual understanding’ around Brexit.
It was part of a collaborative campaign titled ‘Breaking Down Brexit’ which will be ongoing throughout the academic year.
In October 2018, Bristol SU led a group of University students on the 700,000 strong march through London in support of a People’s Vote.
Featured image: Bristol SU
Do you support a people's vote? Join the debate below!