South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth has challenged Conservative MP’s Alistair Jack and David Mundell to support a People’s Vote and put Theresa May’s Brexit Deal to a referendum.

The call comes in the week Dumfries and Galloway Council considered a report confirming the Council is preparing for disruption at Cairnryan Ferry Terminal, a reduction in police numbers on regular patrol and food shortages in the event of a ‘No Deal’ exit from the EU. NHS Dumfries and Galloway also recently warned there would be significant concerns over medical supplies and fresh food supplies in the event of a ‘No Deal’.

With the UK Parliament still no closer to agreeing a way forward and the clock ticking towards a ‘No-Deal’, the local MSP believes that MPs should vote to rule out a ‘No-Deal’ and extend Article 50 to allow a People’s Vote with the option to Remain within the European Union pitched against Theresa May’s Brexit deal.

Colin Smyth MSP said, “The UK Conservative Government are in complete chaos over the UK’s departure from the European Union and the current shambles is damaging businesses. It is clear that the Prime Minister is running down the clock and using the threat of a chaotic no-deal to try to force MP’s into voting for her own failed deal.

The truth is both Theresa May’s deal and a no deal are bad for Dumfries and Galloway and the preparations by the local NHS and Council bring home to us all the huge damage that leaving the EU will cause.

With the UK Parliament still no closer to agreeing a way forward, the decision should be put to a people’s vote. The public should be trusted to decide between Theresa May’s deal and remaining in the EU. It’s time Alistair Jack and David Mundell backed a People’s Vote and let their constituents have a final say because along with other MPs they are incapable of coming to an agreement people want. If they are so sure that the public still want the UK to leave the EU then that is how they will vote in a referendum and our Tory MPs should not be running scared from letting their own constituents make the final decision. If there is another referendum I would campaign and vote again to remain and I challenged David Mundell and Alister Jack to say how they would vote. ”