A RUNCORN MP says the last week in Parliament has been one of his ‘toughest yet’ as he called for a Brexit deal that protects jobs and rights for his constituents.

Two years on from the referendum, the Weaver Vale MP blasted the fact the Government still has no plan for how it will protect employment and the economy or prevent a hard border in Northern Ireland.

Mr Amesbury said: “The majority of people in Weaver Vale voted to leave the EU and I respect the result of the referendum.

“But it has to be done in such a way so that livelihoods in my constituency are not undermined. Business fears uncertainty and whenever I visit a company it’s one of the first things they raise with me.

“The last week in Parliament has been one of my toughest yet, with a series of crucial votes on the EU withdrawal bill.

“Passions have been running high on all sides of the debate and my post bag from constituents and others from further afield has reflected this passion with opinions very much split down the middle."

He said the Labour supported amendments tabled before the House of Commons were not about reversing the referendum result or blocking Brexit.

“They were a means to ensure that Parliament has a greater say and given the opportunity scrutinise a draft deal that the government may bring before the house," said Mr Amesbury.

“I was elected not as a spectator but as a legislator to put my constituents, businesses, workers and services centre stage in this decision-making process.

“I have been involved in discussions with Kier Starmer, Jeremy Corbyn and the broad Labour team to come to a considered and collective position, one of creating a Brexit that puts our communities and country first.”

During the transition period, Labour would seek to remain in a customs union with the EU and within the single market.

Labour would seek to negotiate a new comprehensive UK-EU customs union to ensure that there are no tariffs with Europe, to support Britain’s manufacturing industry and to help avoid any need for a hard border in Northern Ireland.

The party would also seek to negotiate a new single market deal that includes full access, no new impediments to trade, common rights and standards and protections, underpinned by shared institutions and regulations.