WARWICK and Leamington MP Chris White says pledges from the Government to safeguard rights of EU nationals living and working in the UK post Brexit were enough to prevent him backing a vote to protect those rights.
SNP MP Joanna Cherry put forward a motion to protect the status of EU nationals saying their position was “still unclear” following the referendum. Following a debate in the House of Commons, the move was was defeated by 293 votes to 250.
Mr White told the Observer: “There are no doubts as to the tremendous contribution that migrants from the EU make to our local area and the wider UK.
“Throughout the process of leaving the European Union, the Government will need to negotiate on a number of matters and I am sure that the rights of EU nationals that live and work in the UK will be protected.
“During the debate, the Minister demonstrated the Government’s intention to do so. I was reassured by this intention and therefore supported the Government in the Division Lobby.”
Kenilworth and Southam MP Jeremy Wright along with Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby also voted against the motion.
Stratford MP Nadhim Zahawi was absent from the vote.
