Daniel Zeichner: We cannot let the hard-line Brexiteers set the agenda for the UK’s future relationship with Europe

Let me be clear. When the vote on the EU comes before Parliament, my vote will reflect the overwhelming result in Cambridge – to remain. The Brexit vote was a huge disappointment to me and to many in Cambridge, a deeply progressive city proud of its place as an academic and scientific powerhouse within the wider context of Europe. I will reflect the consensus reached in Cambridge in any vote on the matter.

We cannot, however, ignore the fact that even in our city, a place deeply rooted in multi-culturalism and internationalism, a quarter of people voted to leave the EU. There were many reasons why: the failure throughout our country to share prosperity; the fact that the centre right are in power across Europe spreading the politics of austerity; and the distrust of the ‘establishment’ that has been enabled and fostered over recent decades. Nevertheless, the margin that voted to Leave throughout Britain is deeply disconcerting and we must work to address the root causes of the discontent underpinning that result.

Cambridge is a global city and many of our residents enjoy living, studying, working and retiring across Europe. The majority of those living in Cambridge believe in retaining and strengthening Europe-wide standards of human rights and working rights, and building on European environmental protections. Cambridge has also benefited greatly from investment in our research institutions, universities and businesses. I believe, as do many in my constituency, that post-Brexit Britain will be a poorer, more vulnerable place.

But we’ve said that all before, and we can no longer just rehash the points we made throughout the referendum campaign. The vote on 23rd June changed Britain. The argument has shifted. Those who care about our country’s place in and relationship with Europe must now be the people fighting to shape post-Brexit Britain. It has become abundantly clear since the vote that the Brexit camp were full of platitudes but lacking in policies.  As a result, I’m not willing to leave negotiations to Boris Johnson, Nigel Farage and the hard-line Brexiteers who took advantage of the unrest of hard-working people in Britain, scapegoated the EU, and created the ensuing mess without a plan to clean it up.

It is imperative we let Cambridge’s voice be heard, and the voice of the 48% nationwide – that we ensure progressive people in our country are leading the dialogue about what our relationship with Europe might now look like.

Britain must remain open and bridges must be built – between Britain and Europe, between Leavers and Remainers, and between those who have become increasingly socially divided across Britain.

That’s why this Saturday, Cambridge residents will be on the march to show their support for Britain to have a strong relationship with Europe. Similar marches will also take place in London, Oxford, Brighton and Edinburgh. The marches are timed to send a message to MPs like me due to debate the UK’s membership of the EU when Parliament reconvenes after the summer break.

I believe Britain can still be the inclusive and outward-looking nation I’ve always known it to be. If you do too, make sure you join the conversation any way you can.