Andrea took constituents’ concerns right to the top in today’s questions to the Foreign Secretary.
Having frequently heard about people’s concerns about immigration from the EU and the access EU citizens have to the National Health Service and other services, Andrea asked Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond for assurances these concerns would be addressed in the renegotiation.
In her question, Andrea said:
“For the last two years residents of Morley and Outwood have been telling me of their concerns about EU migration, free movement of people and their access to our NHS and other services.
“What assurances can my Right Honourable Friend give them that these concerns will be addressed in the renegotiations?”
The Foreign Secretary replied:
“I can assure my Hon friend that these issues are right up there at the front of our renegotiation strategy.
“Our partners across Europe understand, whether they like it or not, that these concerns are the primary concerns that the British people are expressing in opinion poll after opinion poll and during the recent general election campaign.
“If Britain is to be able to embrace a reformed European Union, these issues will have to be addressed in the settlement.”
Speaking after question time Andrea said:
“The Foreign Secretary today gave a firm commitment that concerns about free movement of people and access to our NHS will be part of the new EU settlement.
“They were key issues in the general election campaign and without reform in these areas it is all the more likely Britain would vote to leave.”