It gives me immense pleasure to have today voted for our historic EU Trade agreement, which the Prime Minister and the negotiating team have secured in the face of many obstacles.
This is a deal that supports our domestic interests, reinforces our sovereignty, and establishes a strong base for a healthy and productive future relationship with the European Union.
This is a deal of which the Conservative Party, and the British people, can be proud. It delivers on the commitments I made when standing to be your MP and is the first free trade agreement ever agreed by EU with zero tariffs and zero quotas.
Over the coming years I will monitor the impact of the deal on my constituents in Rutland and Melton. I will work to support our farmers to embrace the new freedoms this deal delivers and our businesses to export internationally and embrace the opportunities this deal offers.
This agreement is just the start of a new relationship with the EU. But it is a good, co-operative and pragmatic start.
Now is the time for our country to come together and heal old divides. We are no longer remainers and leavers, we must instead move forward together to secure the brightest future for our great nation.
