Open letter to Richard Harrington MP David Gauke MP and Oliver Dowden MPon future EU action

Dear Richard Harrington MP / David Gauke MP,

OPEN LETTER: The EU Referendum and future action

I write to ask if you would kindly reply to each of the following questions:

1. Do you plan to attend the debate called by the Petitions Committee in Westminster Hall on 5th September on the 4 million signature Second Referendum petition?
2. Do you agree that the referendum was an advisory consultation, not a binding vote, and that not even a passing majority vote threshold was set out in the Bill?
3. Do you agree that this was made very clear in the Bill, and in The Briefing Paper of June 2015 no. 07212, in Section 5? (see enclosed)
4. Can you explain why neither you, nor the Government, nor another senior Government officer failed to publicly raise this fundamental point before the vote, allowing it to be considered a binding vote for action?
5. Can you explain why you, as MP for an area almost equally divided, appear to continue to fail to raise this fundamental point?
6. May I refer you to your own Code of Conduct and ask how you intend to act in the national interest in any public statement, debate or Commons vote on the result of the referendum?
7. Can you give an assurance that you will look to your own conscience, avoid mindlessly giving out the official party line in replies to your constituents, and have the courage and integrity to speak as a Member of Parliament whose duty upon oath is to: firstly, act in the best interests of the nation, secondly, in the best interests of your constituents, and lastly those of your party?
8. Can you give an assurance that you will support any and all actions to ensure that a decision as to Article 50 notice and future membership is made by a free vote in Parliament, and not by the Prime Minister or Cabinet alone?
9. When will the UK Government confirm the status of the EU citizens living in the UK and British citizens living in other EU countries, and guarantee their rights in the short and long term regarding matters such as pension, health provision, jobs protection and access to education?
10. How will the UK Government address the issue of misinformation in the campaigns conducted by politicians and the media, during the EU referendum and in future elections and referendums?

I would also like to set out the following statements on my position as a UK voter and as a member of your constituency:
- I will only vote for a candidate who will acknowledge the non-binding, advisory nature of the referendum and will work to address the concerns raised by the result.
- I will only vote for a candidate that will act in the national interest to maintain UK’s membership in the EU.
- I will not vote for any candidate who intends to vote for any legislation to enable the UK leaving the EU.

I would welcome a public meeting to discuss this matter further.

Yours sincerely,

Name + Address
Signed by constituents

Enclosure: Briefing Paper of June 2015 no. 07212, Section 5"