North-East MPs react to Boris Johnson's Brexit deal

The Prime Minister tweeted: "We've got a great new deal that takes back control - now Parliament should get Brexit done on Saturday so we can move on to other priorities like the cost of living, the NHS, violent crime and our environment."

• New Brexit deal agreed between EU and UK

The announcement came as Mr Johnson was heading for a crunch EU summit in Brussels and follows days of intense negotiations. However, he is expected to face a tough task getting the agreement through Parliament.

Responding to the announcement, Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Simon Clarke said: “It is marvellous news that we have a good new Brexit Deal that will allow us to take back control and leave the EU on 31 October. The anti-democratic backstop has been abolished, we will be able to strike our own free trade deals and Northern Ireland will be in the UK customs territory forever.

“Boris Johnson has been Prime Minister for 85 days. When he took over, everyone said it would be impossible to get a new deal and get Brussels to retreat.  He’s pulled it off.  Boris has forced Brussels to re-open the deal. ensured Britain will no longer be bound by EU laws and taxes, ended the supremacy of the European Court in Britain, and removed the backstop and ensured that the people of Northern Ireland are in control of the laws they live by – something many said was impossible.

“On Saturday the House of Commons will vote on this deal. It is time that all of us who were elected on a promise to respect the referendum result get behind this deal and vote to get Brexit done. The time for excuses is at an end.

“Labour MPs on Teesside should respect the overwhelming mandate for Brexit from their voters, and rather than back Jeremy Corbyn’s ridiculous and divisive second referendum, focus on delivering a smooth exit for our country from the EU.”

Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough, said: “What we know of the deal at this stage gives me no comfort that jobs on Teesside will be protected.

"The proposals risk triggering a race to the bottom.  This will not bring our country together. We have to get a credible deal and then let the people decide.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “The overwhelming majority of people in the Tees Valley voted to leave the European Union, and I’m pleased that Boris Johnson has managed to negotiate a new Brexit Deal that will allow us to leave the EU and take back control.

“Brexit provides and exciting opportunity for the Tees Valley to be at the forefront of the UK’s new independent trade policy through the introduction of Free Ports. Government has already said our region is “ahead of the game” to become one of the first Free Ports in the UK, something that will create thousands of jobs for Teessiders and add £2billion to our economy.

“Now MPs need to back the new deal the Prime Minister has delivered so that Parliament can focus on the domestic issues that are important to local people in the Tees Valley.”

Alex Cunningham, Stockton North MP, said: “The deal has only just been published and will need to be examined in detail – but whatever it says I believe that if approved by Parliament, it must be referred back to the people in a confirmatory referendum. 

"The fact it has already failed to win the support of the DUP is worrying in itself particularly as there are many Tories in the ERG group who share Irish concerns but I look forward to seeing exactly what is proposed before deciding whether or not I can personally back it.”

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman said: “It is absolutely worse than the deal Theresa May brought back. He has gone and made the same mistakes again, and I am not sure why he’s got in the position again without the support of the DUP. Boris Johnson called it a surrender deal, so what does it say about this?

“Things are moving fast and no one knows what will happen in the next 48 hours, but there are clearly concerns from the ERG and DUP. Labour’s position is the deal needs to have the consent of the British people (in the form of a confirmatory referendum).

Ms Chapman said the question on the referendum would be the negotiated deal or remain, and she confirmed she would vote remain in the ballot.

“I haven’t read the full deal yet but I can imagine I would vote remain, but my vote is no more or less important than anyone else. That is the beauty of our democracy. Every vote from each constituent counts the same.

“Yes I am representing the people who voted leave, but I am representing the 40 per cent who voted remain, and the 20-year-olds who couldn’t vote last time. There are also differences amongst the leave voters, some don’t care and just want to leave, but some are really worried about the prospect of leaving without a deal. Even Nigel Farage doesn’t like this deal.”

Anna Turley, Redcar MP, said: “Such is our region’s reliance on manufacturing and exports to the European Union that any deal was going to cost jobs and livelihoods. It is a trade deal in reverse, putting up barriers, which in turn has a direct impact on business and people in the North East.

"The truth is, this deal is not about the people - it’s about him. Johnson represents a privileged and out-of-touch elite trying to force a very hard Brexit or No Deal on the people that will leave them poorer.

"They have hijacked Brexit for their own purposes. They do not speak for the North, which is why the true voices for our region are travelling to the capital this weekend.”