Here’s how Sussex MPs voted on Internal Market Bill

All but one of the county’s Conservatives backed the government, with only one abstaining and all three Brighton and Hove MPs voting against.

The legislation has been hugely controversial.

While the government says it is needed to protect Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK if negotiations are unsuccessful with the EU over a trade deal, its opponents suggested it would damage the country’s international reputation by breaching international law.

The bill passed comfortably in the Commons by 340 votes to 263, with only two Conservatives voting against it.

However a number of Tory MPs abstained including East Worthing and Shoreham’s Tim Loughton.

He said on Twitter: “I have spent the last few hours listening to the debate on the Internal Market Bill and unfortunately nothing persuaded me that it is the best way forward to secure a trade deal with the EU and exit the transition period so I could not vote for it in its current form.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “This bill is essential for guaranteeing the economic and political integrity of the United Kingdom and simply sets out to achieve what the people of this country voted for when they supported our election manifesto: not only unfettered access from NI to GB and from GB to NI but also—I quote from the manifesto—to ‘maintain and strengthen the integrity and smooth operation of our internal market’.”

He went on to describe it as a protection, a safety net an insurance policy and a ‘very sensible measure’.

But Labour’s Ed Miliband, deputising for his party leader Sir Keir Starmer, described the debate as not an argument about remain versus leave but about ‘right versus wrong’.

He added: “The Government must go back, remove the provisions breaking international law and ensure that the bill works in a way that respects the devolution settlements. That is what a responsible, competent and law-abiding Government would do.”

How Sussex MPs voted on Monday night: For: Caroline Ansell (Eastbourne), Sir Peter Bottomley (Worthing West), Maria Caulfield (Lewes), Mims Davies (Mid Sussex), Nus Ghani (Wealden) Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton), Andrew Griffith (Arundel and South Downs), Sally-Ann Hart (Hastings and Rye), Gillian Keegan (Chichester), Huw Merriman (Bexhill and Battle), Jeremy Quin (Horsham), Henry Smith (Crawley).

Against: Lloyd Russell-Moyle (Brighton Kemptown), Peter Kyle (Hove), Caroline Lucas (Brighton Pavilion).

Did not vote: Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham).

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.