"Frankly, it’s about time that the Government gave us the clarity Islington urgently needs." Cllr Una O'Halloran, Lead Member for Brexit at Islington Council
Cllr Una O

Islington Labour councillors have once again led calls to stop a disastrous Tory no deal Brexit, warning of the damage it could do to the borough. 

At Islington Council’s Full Council Meeting on 26th September 2019, an Islington Labour motion calling for a ‘No Deal’ Brexit to be ruled out by the Government, and for the people to be given the final say, received the full support of councillors.  

 

The latest calls by Islington Labour councillors for a no deal Brexit to be avoided came following the launch earlier in September of a petition to stop a Tory no deal Brexit

 

Cllr Una O’Halloran, Islington Council’s lead for Brexit, said at the Full Council meeting: 

“It’s unacceptable that, three years on from the referendum, the Government still hasn’t got its act together and can’t tell us what Brexit may look like, if it happens at all. Councils like Islington are being left in the dark about what is going to happen.  

“The Council has been considering in detail the potential impact of Brexit, including a ‘No Deal’ exit, for many months. Work is being conducted in preparation of worst-case scenarios, but frankly it’s about time that the Government gave us the clarity Islington urgently needs.” 

Cllr Richard Watts, Leader of Islington Council, proposed the motion and said: 

“Islington Labour campaigned hard to encourage local people to vote to remain in the European Union at the 2016 referendum. Ever since the UK voted to leave the EU, we have called for the Government to deliver closest possible relationship with the EU that projects jobs, workers’ rights, important environmental protections, maintains joint security capabilities and that protects the rights of EU Citizens who are an essential part of our local community.   

“However, the Tory Government’s chaotic handling of Brexit means that they are letting local people, and the country, down. Shockingly, the Prime Minister is still threatening to take the UK out of the EU without a deal on 31st October. No deal must be ruled out immediately.” 

Cllr Watts also made an impassioned plea during the debate on the motion for people to consider the consequences of the statements they make about Brexit, commenting:  

“As elected representatives, we have a duty to conduct debate in a civil and respectful manner, recognising that words have consequences. I welcome the clear condemnation councillors have issued of the Prime Minister’s poisonous and deeply irresponsible rhetoric in recent weeks.   

“After the Finsbury Park terrorist attack in 2017, in Islington we sadly know all too well what the consequences of hateful speech can be. I implore the Prime Minister to not only do what is right for Islington and the country by abandoning his plans for a no deal Brexit, but to think carefully about the impact the divisive language he is using could have.” 

Islington Council has been working hard to support EU Citizens who live and work in Islington to receive advice on their rights. The latest advice session jointly held with Islington IN Europe and legal experts will take place on Thursday 17th October at 7.30pm in the Town Hall. To book a place and for further details, please click here. 

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