Leeds MPs declare their stance on EU vote

THE OVERWHELMING majority of Leeds's MPs will back Britain staying in the European Union when the referendum is held on June 23.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson with Prime Minister David CameronMayor of London Boris Johnson with Prime Minister David Cameron
Mayor of London Boris Johnson with Prime Minister David Cameron

So far only Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew is undecided with the rest of the city’s MPs set to back remaining within the union, with the exception of Morley MP Andrea Jenkyns who had earlier declared she will vote to leave.

Mr Andrew said in a statement: “I would emphasise that my vote is no more significant than that of my constituents. With that in mind, I will be holding a series of public meetings for my constituents to attend where I will invite pro and anti EU campaign representatives to attend to present their points of view and allow my constituents to raise their questions with them.

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All of Labour’s Yorkshire MPs are following the party’s declared support for EU membership and will be joined in the ‘remain’ camp by the region’s two Liberal Democrat MPs.

However Conservative MPs in the region are split on the issue.

As it stands, eight Conservative MPs in Yorkshire will find themselves on the opposite side of the referendum debate to their Prime Minister and party leader - including Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams.

Explaining his decision, Mr Adams said: “EU rules have sped up the closure of Kellingley Colliery and several power stations across the country and EU directives continue to threaten jobs right here in the Selby and Ainsty constituency.

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“Even when our government decides to support businesses like Drax Power Station by helping it convert to biomass, the EU can and does challenge the decision.”

Elmet and Rothwell MP Alec Shelbrooke has declared his personal decision to vote ‘remain’ but will not campaign for others to follow his example, arguing his role was to secure a referendum and it is for constituents to decide for themselves.