Two of Watford’s political parties have slammed the Prime Minister’s proposed Brexit deal.

While Watford MP Richard Harrington is firmly in support of the deal agreed between Theresa May and Brussels, the Labour and Liberal Democrat response was heavily critical.

Several ministers have resigned since the deal was presented on Wednesday and some say a vote of no confidence in Theresa May by Conservative MPs is imminent.

But Mr Harrington, who has consistently spoken out against a no-deal Brexit, confirmed he would back the Prime Minister.

He said: “I truly believe the Prime Minister’s deal delivers the best outcome for both the UK and Watford.

“She has listened to the British people and come back with a deal that gives us control of our money and our laws, protects the rights of EU citizens and delivers on a skills based immigration system.

“We will be able to strike up trade deals around the world, and won’t be bound by the EU institutions that we are currently subject to.

“For me, the choice is clear, I will be voting to protect jobs, security and the union of the United Kingdom.

“I will be supporting the Prime Minister and her draft agreement moving forward.”

In a video publicly addressing Mr Harrington, Liberal Democrat Councillor Ian Stotesbury continued his party’s call for a ‘People’s Vote’ in which voters will be able to decide whether to accept the final Brexit deal.

Ian Stotesbury's video

He said: “I still firmly believe that the only way forward for the British public and for Watford is a People’s Vote.

“We saw recently that Watford is most likely to be one of the worst hit authorities in the country and we know the UK as a whole is set to be worse off.”

He told the Observer: “We must have a People’s Vote on this deal and if people are unhappy they need the option to remain in the EU.

“Richard Harrington, our MP, must come off the fence and commit to giving us this."

Labour representatives were equally critical, but stopped short of calling for a second vote.

 

Chris Ostrowski

Chris Ostrowski, Watford Labour’s parliamentary candidate, said: “As the Labour candidate at the last election I promised to vote against any deal that made Watford worse off.

“I challenge our Tory MP to make the same commitment to the people of Watford, and vote against Theresa May's deal.

“The result of the referendum was clear: the majority of British people want us to leave the EU - I respect the result.

He added that, if faced with a no deal scenario, Labour will consider the option of a People’s Vote.

He told the Observer: “The appetite for a People’s Vote is impossible to tell. There are a mix of views in Watford.

“I think that the choice of no-deal or May’s deal is a false choice.”

 

Alex Mayer MEP

The Labour MEP for the East of England, Alex Mayer, said: “This woolly fudge of a deal glosses over security, research and rights at work.

"Jeremy Corbyn is right, this isn’t a deal Labour can or should sign up to. Theresa May has failed to provide real detail and now wants us to take a blindfold leap into the unknown.

“She cannot continuing burying her head in the sand. Britain deserves better than this.”

Parliament are set to vote on the draft deal in December following an EU summit on November 25.