Zöe Franklin: Now is the time to give people a real voice on Brexit

This morning, the supreme court voted overwhelming that Parliament must be consulted before Article 50 can be invoked by the Government, giving all MPs the opportunity to vote on the triggering of Article 50.

Zöe Franklin, Guildford's Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, has welcomed the news, saying: "Finally we have some clarity over what happens next in the Brexit process. The Conservative government have been trying to force on us a hard Brexit which will take us out of the single market, risking thousands of jobs and crucial funding streams, and was not what people believed they were voting for on June 23rd. In the case of Guildford and Cranleigh, where our community voted 56% favour of remaining in the EU, it is especially clear that Brexit, let alone a Hard Brexit, is not what residents want."

The ruling comes after months of uncertainty over the UK's position in the world. Last week, the Prime Minister set out a Hard Brexit stance, threatening investment and jobs in the region.

Zöe Franklin said: "The Liberal Democrats are clear that MPs being able to vote on and scrutinise the Brexit process is crucial. We are also clear that we will only support triggering Article 50 if the people of Britain are guaranteed a referendum on the deal at the end of the negotiating process, including the option to stay in the EU if the deal isn't right for the country. Ultimately the Liberal Democrats still believe that there is no deal better than the one we have now inside the EU but it should be up to the people to decide at the end of the process.

Our MP, Anne Milton, was elected by her constituents on a manifesto which included a cast iron commitment to British membership of the single market. Now that the government has turned its back on that commitment, I am calling on Anne Milton to do the right thing and stand up for the views of Guildford's residents by supporting the call for a referendum on the terms of the deal when it comes before Parliament.

Failing to do so puts the plans of her own party above the expressed desire of her residents who voted to remain in the EU and deserve to have their say on the final deal."