Rupa Huq Talks Brexit and Fleabag With The PM
Ealing Central and Acton MP takes up offer of one on one meeting
Ealing Central and Acton MP Rupa Huq has had a one on one meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May after taking her up on an invitation to all MPs to have a conversation at 10 Downing Street.
Dr Huq said that she jumped at the chance for a sit-down meeting after receiving a ‘Dear colleague’ letter sent by the PM adding that she is someone who has always said the vibe in parliament could do with being less cross and more cross-party.
She took the opportunity to champion the cause of remaining in the EU representing the views of the majority of her constituents and put a series of question to the PM. She asked about the possibility of the Government agreeing to a customs union and the PM replied by asking what would those advocating this seek to achieve. She was non-committal about the possibility of her Brexit deal being taken back to the House and dismissed concerns about the legality of the Leave campaign by saying there were discrepancies on both sides. When asked about a ‘people’s vote’ she categorically rejected the idea.
Dr Huq then asked the PM which of her red lines had changed. Of her response she says, “She raised her eyes to heaven before lowering her head on the desk in a swooping movement of mock exasperation, demonstrating a sense of humour and contradicting the Maybot stereotype.”
The local MP put it to the PM that she was putting the ‘cart before the horse’ and that as a minority government, reaching out the hand of friendship across the aisle would have been better done after the general election when her majority was lost, “rather than folding one’s arms or throwing overtures to those on her own side trying to knife her in the back”.
She added, “Unlike the riots predicted if we don’t leave the EU, no one fears the wrath of Remainers, who have essentially been told to shut up and acquiesce. It’s said that Waitrose was empty on the day of the ‘people’s vote’ demonstration. Certainly, the million individuals marching with polite placards dramatically contrasted with the angry mob (Tommy Robinson et al) in Westminster on 29 March when the meaningful vote was lost a third time – which has put many Labour MPs off voting for a Leave deal, as I told the PM. I cited the 6 million people who have signed the petition to revoke article 50, including 23,000 in my own seat (more than the Tory votes cast in 2017), and admonished her that she risks not only breaking up the union but also losing London because of a policy that is at least as much of a dud as the poll tax. I reminded her that at least Margaret Thatcher had the good sense to ditch the policy.”
It wasn’t all Brexit though and the PM was asked whether she watched BBC’s Fleabag or the Bodyguard and which she preferred, but the PM responded she didn’t really watch television, and preferred American Crime Dramas, NCIS style when she did.
Dr Huq, reflecting on her meeting, said, “My thanks to PM Theresa May for hosting me to speak up for the 48% and UK’s remain community. Still not much the wiser about what red lines have changed and whether customs union could be inserted but she’s in need of persuasion of a people’s vote.”
9 April 2019