Thangam Debbonaire
MP for Bristol West
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Yesterday I urged Theresa May to reach out to remain voters in the interests of national unity. Any solution to this Brexit mess must bring our divided country together.
Sadly, her automatic-sounding response suggests she is still refusing to listen or compromise.
The Prime Minister’s Withdrawal Agreement was rejected by record numbers of MPs last week. The scale of this defeat demonstrates that she desperately needs fresh ideas and should be urgently speaking to people worried about Brexit, not just the right wing of the Conservative Party.
For example, as I said yesterday, she could reach out to the Musicians’ Union and listen to their concerns about leaving the EU. Musicians are just one group which would be seriously affected by a no-deal Brexit outcome, as they rely on the ability to tour across borders.
I have repeatedly pushed for the government to create a special visa category for people on tour, including meeting with the Culture Minister to discuss this. I believe such arrangements must form part of any agreement with the EU.