Brexit: a response from Chuka
On 4 July 2016 at 15:27, Chuka Umunna MP <chuka.umunna.mp@parliament.uk> wrote:
Dear Gavin Giovannoni
Thank you for contacting me regarding the outcome of the EU referendum.
First, let me say that I share your concern and disappointment at the result. I put everything into fighting for Britain to stay in the EU – I made the care for staying in the EU with Labour colleagues and members right across London and throughout the country. I campaigned in 10 London boroughs, represented the case for Remain at debates against the likes of Boris Johnson, Iain Duncan Smith and Nigel Farage, visited small and medium-sized businesses, met hundreds of employees, and visited universities and student unions speaking to hundreds of students on the case for remaining in the EU.
Everyone who voted for remain did so for their own reasons, whether they were economic, environmental, the protection of workers’ rights, national security, or simply an internationalist outlook. Although we have lost the referendum, those values and priorities will continue and I still strongly believe, like you, that by the strength of our common endeavour we can achieve more working together and with others than we can alone.
The referendum has revealed deep divisions in our country, between nations and
regions, generations, socio-economic classes, and ethnic groups. Although the result was not a landslide victory for the Leave campaign, the British people have spoken and I believe it is important that we respect the result. We must now ensure that voices from all sides – including the 48% of people who voted to Remain – are listened to over the coming weeks, months and years, as we try to heal these divisions and negotiate our position with the rest of Europe. As always I will seek to represent the views of my constituents. Streatham was one of the most pro-remain parts of the country and I will keep fighting your corner in the tough times ahead.
In the short-term it is vital that our economic and financial stability, upon which jobs and businesses rely, is re-established and protected. I support the Prime Minister’s decision not to immediately invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty which would result in triggering the two year timeframe for our withdrawal and increase short-term instability.
Moving forward we know that we will soon have a new Tory administration made up of leading members of the official Vote Leave campaign. A huge number of promises were made by that campaign and we must ensure that the new Conservative government is held to account – whether that is a commitment to invest in the NHS, protecting jobs and worker’s rights, or our trading arrangements with the rest of the European Union.
One of the biggest issues of the referendum campaign centred on immigration. I have been clear throughout the campaign that leaving the EU will not solve what many people view as the problem with immigration. Given that so many of the population clearly disagreed with this view, we must now try to bring people together, and understand that immigration can (but does not have to) pose challenges to our communities.
However, the disgraceful way that this issue was hijacked by UKIP and the Leave campaign was simply unacceptable and unfortunately, in the days since the referendum, we have seen an increase in racist and xenophobic attacks on people living within our community. Now, we must find an answer to the immigration conundrum which both addresses people’s concerns and stays consistent with our British values of openness, equality and respect.
I completely understand that those who voted Remain are feeling uncertain and concerned about the future. We must now find a way to bring together our deeply divided country. I believe that this can be achieved through Labour’s values of human rights and social justice – to ensure that no matter what your starting point in life, if you work hard, play by the rules and put in the graft, all opportunities should be open to you. I hope that you will be reassured that I, as your Member of Parliament, will continue to fight for these values.
Thank you again for getting in touch.
Yours sincerely,
Chuka Umunna MP
Labour MP for Streatham
Covering Streatham and parts of Clapham, Balham, Tulse Hill and Brixton
Sent by the Office of Chuka Umunna MP
Sent by: Tashi Warr on behalf of Chuka Umunna MP
Dear Gavin Giovannoni
Thank you for contacting me regarding the outcome of the EU referendum.
First, let me say that I share your concern and disappointment at the result. I put everything into fighting for Britain to stay in the EU – I made the care for staying in the EU with Labour colleagues and members right across London and throughout the country. I campaigned in 10 London boroughs, represented the case for Remain at debates against the likes of Boris Johnson, Iain Duncan Smith and Nigel Farage, visited small and medium-sized businesses, met hundreds of employees, and visited universities and student unions speaking to hundreds of students on the case for remaining in the EU.
Everyone who voted for remain did so for their own reasons, whether they were economic, environmental, the protection of workers’ rights, national security, or simply an internationalist outlook. Although we have lost the referendum, those values and priorities will continue and I still strongly believe, like you, that by the strength of our common endeavour we can achieve more working together and with others than we can alone.
The referendum has revealed deep divisions in our country, between nations and
regions, generations, socio-economic classes, and ethnic groups. Although the result was not a landslide victory for the Leave campaign, the British people have spoken and I believe it is important that we respect the result. We must now ensure that voices from all sides – including the 48% of people who voted to Remain – are listened to over the coming weeks, months and years, as we try to heal these divisions and negotiate our position with the rest of Europe. As always I will seek to represent the views of my constituents. Streatham was one of the most pro-remain parts of the country and I will keep fighting your corner in the tough times ahead.
In the short-term it is vital that our economic and financial stability, upon which jobs and businesses rely, is re-established and protected. I support the Prime Minister’s decision not to immediately invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty which would result in triggering the two year timeframe for our withdrawal and increase short-term instability.
Moving forward we know that we will soon have a new Tory administration made up of leading members of the official Vote Leave campaign. A huge number of promises were made by that campaign and we must ensure that the new Conservative government is held to account – whether that is a commitment to invest in the NHS, protecting jobs and worker’s rights, or our trading arrangements with the rest of the European Union.
One of the biggest issues of the referendum campaign centred on immigration. I have been clear throughout the campaign that leaving the EU will not solve what many people view as the problem with immigration. Given that so many of the population clearly disagreed with this view, we must now try to bring people together, and understand that immigration can (but does not have to) pose challenges to our communities.
However, the disgraceful way that this issue was hijacked by UKIP and the Leave campaign was simply unacceptable and unfortunately, in the days since the referendum, we have seen an increase in racist and xenophobic attacks on people living within our community. Now, we must find an answer to the immigration conundrum which both addresses people’s concerns and stays consistent with our British values of openness, equality and respect.
I completely understand that those who voted Remain are feeling uncertain and concerned about the future. We must now find a way to bring together our deeply divided country. I believe that this can be achieved through Labour’s values of human rights and social justice – to ensure that no matter what your starting point in life, if you work hard, play by the rules and put in the graft, all opportunities should be open to you. I hope that you will be reassured that I, as your Member of Parliament, will continue to fight for these values.
Thank you again for getting in touch.
Yours sincerely,
Chuka Umunna MP
Labour MP for Streatham
Covering Streatham and parts of Clapham, Balham, Tulse Hill and Brixton
Sent by the Office of Chuka Umunna MP
Sent by: Tashi Warr on behalf of Chuka Umunna MP
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