It is essential that there is a People’s Vote on the final Brexit deal

MPs from the capital say a bad Brexit deal could tear the fabric of London apart

Our city represents all the most positive elements of being global, outward-looking, welcoming and tolerant (Getty)

London is the greatest city in the world. It is a cultural capital, a sporting powerhouse, a hub for international business, civil society and media, and a model of what an open, vibrant, liberal, multicultural society should look like.

As MPs representing London constituencies, we want to make sure Brexit doesn’t damage any of that.

London voted Remain during the EU referendum in 2016 because we saw how much our city has benefited from EU membership. But we accept that the country as a whole voted narrowly to leave. The government has a mandate to negotiate a Brexit deal.

What the government absolutely does not have is a mandate to force a bad Brexit deal on our city that could damage London for generations to come. So much of the economy of London relies on being in the single market and the customs union, and on freedom of movement. From the tech sector to finance, from construction to culture, London benefits hugely from being part of a larger European market. Outside of this European market, our city will suffer.

But this is about more than just the economy. Our city represents all the most positive elements of being global, outward-looking, welcoming and tolerant. These values form part of the fabric of London. A bad Brexit deal risks tearing that fabric apart.

The terms on which we leave the EU have never been put to the public. When the prime minister brings back her Brexit deal later this year, we will finally know what Brexit means. And a decision will have to be made as to whether we accept it or not.

As London MPs, we will look at the Brexit deal and take a view on whether we think it’s good enough for our constituents and our city. But it cannot be right that 650 MPs alone decide whether to accept the deal, without any say for Londoners or people across the country. That’s why we think it’s essential that there is a People’s Vote on the final Brexit deal, so that 65 million people can have their voices heard as well.

Rushanara Ali
Tom Brake
Ruth Cadbury
Stella Creasy
Mike Gapes
Margaret Hodge
David Lammy
Siobhain McDonagh
Tulip Siddiq 
Virendra Sharma
Wes Streeting
Gareth Thomas
Chuka Umunna
Catherine West
Rupa Huq
Sir Edward Davey
Sir Vincent Cable
Joan Ryan