"There are clear concerns about immigration" Stockton North MP reacts to Brexit

"I am saddened and disappointed at the decision to leave the EU – but the people of Stockton and across the country have made it abundantly clear that they want change and I will personally work to support their will.

“Communities, including my own in Stockton, have demonstrated that they feel left behind and cut off by the political establishment in Brussels and Westminster. This was a rejection of the status quo by millions of people who are not sharing in the wealth of this country and for whom the economy is not working.

“We’ve seen the failure of the current Government – and the coalition that went before it – to address the needs of post-industrial communities. The time for change is now and government needs to invest in the parts of Britain – like the North East – forgotten for too long.

“There have also been clear concerns about the impact of immigration. On the doorstep in Stockton people made it clear they are fearful of its impact on them and future generations. People are concerned about wages being undercut, and public services under strain. We’ve proposed changes to employment law, but only in government can we tackle issues like zero hours contracts and a ban on agencies only advertising abroad for jobs in Britain, and work to restore our public services.

“What we don’t need is a more right-wing reactionary Tory Government which will cut public services further, sweep away the rights of British workers and drive down wages.”