This last month has seen the UK make one of its biggest decisions for a generation. I campaigned for remain, and my constituency voted for it. While I appreciate the strength of feeling from many of my constituents, and the outcome may not be what we wanted, the decision has been made. We put this decision to the British people, and had the outcome been 52% remain and 48% leave, we would have expected the decision to be respected.
Therefore I cannot support a second referendum because we disagree with the outcome. Nor can I promise to vote against Brexit in Parliament as I cannot know what the Bill before us would contain. However, those who have emailed or contacted me following this momentous decision have not wasted their time, as it gives me the support I need to press for the best deal possible in our future negotiations with the EU.
My first priority is to protect the jobs and economy in Wantage, many of which depend so heavily on the EU. Our relationship with the EU is currently unchanged, and will remain so until an agreement over Article 50 is reached and put into effect. There will be no immediate change to European citizens currently living in the UK, nor for British citizens living in the EU. All applicable EU rules and funds in the research, innovation, and education fields remain in place.
While we wait for the selection of a new Prime Minister, the life of an MP continues. I recently met with representatives from East Challow, Cholsey & Watchfield Parish Councils at the Scottish and Southern Electric Parliamentary Reception for the Launch of their Resilient Communities Fund. These three Parish Councils received funding for a variety of projects from the fund, such as public defibrillator, portable generators and pumps for emergencies, and equipment to combat flooding. The next round of funding from this scheme is now open for applications, and more information can be found https://bit.ly/29GAON4.
The Big Lottery Fund is also calling on local groups to apply for funding to hold events or activities that will bring people together and celebrate what makes their local community special. This funding could be used to celebrate something in the community’s local history, a local hero, to mark something of national importance such as Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th Birthday, or just to get to know their neighbours better. Applications can be found at https://bit.ly/29ujude.
As the Minister responsible for digital infrastructure, I am always looking for schemes that can help rural communities such as ours eliminate their not-spots. Vodafone have unveiled a program to give indoor mobile coverage to 100 rural community hubs, from pubs to village halls and community run shops. Further information can be found here: https://bit.ly/29A741w.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any pressing issues that you would like help with. Either myself or one of my team will get back to you as soon as possible and do what we can to assist. You can contact me on any matter at the House of Commons, SW1A 0AA, 020 7219 6350 or dicksonce@parliament.uk. Email is the quickest and most reliable way to get in touch, as I keep a very close eye on my emails and can reply very quickly. I also send out occasional general interest emails about developments in the Wantage and Didcot Constituency. If you would like to be added to the distribution list, please complete the online form at https://bit.ly/EdVaizeyMP.