On 23 June, 17.4 million people voted to leave the EU. It was an overwhelming mandate – and now the wishes of the British public must be respected.
During the campaign, it was clear what Leave meant. All Leave campaigns agreed that Brexit meant leaving the single market, taking back control of our own borders, signing a free trade deal with Europe and taking back control of our fishing waters.
That is now what must be delivered. Brexit must mean Brexit. No back-sliding, no side–stepping, no Brexit–lite.
If you missed my speech from my first leadership rally in Manchester then you can watch it here https://t.co/XUqwxHJvvl
— Steven Woolfe MEP (@Steven_Woolfe) July 26, 2016
I have confidence in the Three Brexiteers – David Davis, Liam Fox and Boris Johnson – who I campaigned alongside during the referendum.
In Davis we have a chief negotiator who has thought a great deal about what needs to be done and what sort of deal we need to secure. He and his team should now be given some time to do the job.
But let me be clear. UKIP under my leadership will not stand by and see Brexit watered down. We will not tolerate a fudged deal.
We will certainly not stand by and watch Britain remain in the single market with a minor migration concession such as a seven-year brake, as has been proposed.
If that were to happen, it would be a slap in the face of the British people. My job as UKIP leader will be to act as the voice for the 17.4 million people who voted to leave – and that is what I intend to do if I am elected.
Interviews with @Steven_Woolfe after the @Team_Woolfe event in #Manchester. pic.twitter.com/tBZyExgLBx
— Dan Jukes (@DanJukes17) July 26, 2016
Brits want control of their borders for the long term. They want a robust but fair migration policy like the one I have proposed – one which controls overall numbers while welcoming skilled workers and being fair to citizens across the globe.
UKIP now has a massive opportunity to build on Nigel Farage’s success. We must professionalise, reorganise, unite. We must fly the flag for social mobility, win seats at Westminster and stand up for those left behind by the sneering and condescending political class that dominate the two establishment parties.
But above all, we must make sure this government delivers. We must hold their feet to the fire and say – very clearly – if you wriggle out of what 17.4 million Britons voted for, they will never forgive you.
An emergency brake is no good. Staying in the single market is not an option. Brexit must mean Brexit.
