UPDATE - 13/02/2017

The amendments presented by the House of Lords were rejected by MPs on 13 March 2017 by 335 votes to 287. The Lords accepted the decision by 274 to 135. I can confirm that I voted against the amendments.

UPDATE - 06/02/2017

The bill, which would allow the Government to trigger Article 50, was passed by MPs at the Second Reading stage on 31 January by 498 votes to 114. The bill now moves on to its committee stages from 6th to 8th February. I have considered the amendments which are being tabled at the committee stage and I can confirm that I will not be voting for any of these amendments to the bill. 

Many constituents with differing views on the EU Referendum result have contacted me to ask which division lobby I will be voting in for the triggering of Article 50 of the European Act. This vote is being held because the Supreme Court has ruled that Parliament must first provide legislative consent before the Government can trigger Article 50 and commence the process of the UK exiting the EU.

I can confirm that I will, without caveat, vote in favour of Article 50 being triggered.

Whilst I voted to remain in the EU, albeit I did not campaign for either side, I have been consistent since in stating that the views of the majority who voted most be upheld by MPs and the Government. I do not say this with any lingering regret over the outcome. I hold a general belief that we must move on in life and positively seize the opportunities which change presents.

The Parliamentary legislation required by the Supreme Court states only that Parliament must provide the Government with the power to trigger Article 50. The process of legislating the ultimate EU repeal will require more thought in that it will require Parliament to retain the laws from the EU which it wants, and dispose of those which are no longer required. As a member of the Procedure Committee, I will have the opportunity to help shape this process.

As I have written in the Bexhill and Battle Observer article (attached in the link below), it is within Parliament's gift to make the entire legislative exit of the EU work in a timely manner and help deliver a new and better future for the UK outside of the EU. It is also within Parliament's gift to drag its heels. 

https://www.huwmerriman.org.uk/news/britain-leaving-single-market

I believe that Parliament should deliver a positive response to the challenges before us and I hope that MPs and, in particular, the Lords will not over-complicate and delay the procedure for triggering Article 50 but will give the Government an immediate mandate to get on with the job and negotiate a good deal for the nation.

I hope that progress on this matter will help us to move on and channel any disappointment in to positive ideas for the future.