Marginal west Cornwall constituency to get visit by Liberal Democrat Shadow Brexit Minister
Tom Brake MP – the Liberal Democrat Shadow Brexit Minister – will hold meetings in Penzance and Newlyn during his visit to the marginal St Ives Constituency this week (Thurs 31st May/Fri 1st June). The Conservatives held on to St Ives with a majority of just 312 votes a year ago.
As well as holding a public meeting with former MP Andrew George at the Cornish Pirates Rugby Ground on Thursday evening, the two will visit Newlyn Fish Market and meet local fishing leaders in the port on Friday morning.
Mr Brake will be available to meet local media between 4.30 and 6.30pm by arrangement on Thursday evening, before the public meeting and at 9am after his visit to Newlyn on Friday morning.
Mr George said, “It will be a pleasure to welcome Tom to west Cornwall. Cornwall has resilient people and businesses but, like other local economies, remains fragile to external influences, including the potential impacts of Brexit, whether perceived to be good or bad. Many local people and businesses are keen to hear from Tom. He is recognised to be better informed than most MPs about how the Brexit negotiations are going and how to ensure the best interests of places like west Cornwall are preserved.
“I’m also keen to introduce Tom to local fishing industry leaders and representatives. Fishermen had been assured the fishing industry would be a big winner if the UK voted to Brexit.
“But the Conservatives were exposed (when confidential Cabinet papers were released under the 30 year rule) to have referred to the UK fishing industry as “expendable” when negotiating Britain’s entry to the EEC/EU in 1973. So we need to know how fishermen feel Brexit is going and hear what they want us to do to help fight for their interests in Parliament.”