I want to take the opportunity to explain to my constituents the reasoning behind my votes in the House of Commons last night on the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill.

In 2017, I was elected on a manifesto commitment to respect the outcome of the referendum, prioritise jobs and living standards, and rule out a no-deal exit.

In the two-and-a-half years since Article 50 was triggered, Parliament has been paralysed; unable to agree a deal that will take us out of the EU and yet unwilling to support leaving with No Deal.

The debates around Britain’s withdrawal from the EU have become dominated by those who shout the loudest, on both sides of the debate. There are some who would happily see the UK leave with no Withdrawal Agreement in place; and another group who want to see Brexit cancelled entirely and the 2016 referendum result ignored.

I have always maintained that we need to reach a deal that respects the result of the referendum whilst protecting jobs, living standards and our economy.

As we leave the European Union, the UK will have to negotiate trade deals with a number of international partners. Those deals should be subject to parliamentary scrutiny and Parliament should retain the power to reject trade deals that it does not agree with.

I will be voting to trigger Article 50 when the vote comes before Parliament. People in my constituency voted to leave the European Union and I will respect that verdict. Whilst I welcome the fact that Parliament will be properly scrutinising the Brexit negotiation process, I will not be attempting to overturn the result of the referendum.

Whenever I go out doorknocking in Barnsley, the issue of immigration comes up more than any other. There is no doubt that large numbers of people have legitimate and very real concerns about our immigration system, which need to be addressed.

The people of Barnsley made their voices heard last week. 68% of those who voted said that they wanted the United Kingdom to leave the European Union.

I want to begin by thanking Siobhain for her welcome. Since 1997 she has served as MP for Mitcham and Morden, working tirelessly for her constituents and it's a great pleasure to be in her constituency today.

I would also like to thank Ross Kemp for his kind introduction. We are particularly grateful that today you have joined this campaign.