Glen: PM is working towards best possible deals

It is right that the PM attempts to retain the strongest possible relationship with our oldest ally. I am pleased that she has secured the new President’s commitment to Nato – which must remain the cornerstone of our security arrangements.

The headlines generated by the new President’s announcements on immigration do not reflect the way in which the UK deals with presumed threats to national security. I believe in an open and tolerant society and abhor racism of any sort, though I also believe the British government must remain vigilant towards terrorist threats, wherever they come from. The Foreign Secretary made the government’s position clear on this in the House on Monday. I do not accept it would be right to withdraw a State Visit invitation once issued. It is better to seek to influence our closest allies by dialogue and persuasion.

The Parliamentary process for leaving the EU began this week. I will vote for the ‘Brexit’ Bill, given that, in the referendum, the majority voted to leave the EU – both in Salisbury and the country as a whole.

We have a long way to go before the final deal is determined. I am conscious that our largest trading partner is the EU, dwarfing even our trade with the US. I expect the government to prioritise securing the best possible trade deal with the EU, maintaining favourable access for British businesses to the valuable European market.

At the conclusion of the negotiations, the deal will be closely scrutinised and I look forward to playing an active part in that process. The decision to leave the EU has been acclaimed and derided. However one regards the decision, I don’t believe the people of this country voted to make the country poorer – but they do want to have control over borders and return of law-making powers to Westminster.

My responsibility is to honour the decision of the British people but scrutinise carefully the detail of the new arrangements.