Sammy Wilson: What a historic day, soon to be free from the EU

It was a historic day yesterday.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Feb 2017, 01:15 BST
Updated 2nd Feb 2017, 06:03 BST
MPs in the House of Commons, London, as legislation to allow Theresa May to start formal Brexit talks has cleared its first Commons hurdle after MPs gave it a second reading by 498 votes to 114 - a majority of 384. Wednesday February 1, 2017. Photo: PA WireMPs in the House of Commons, London, as legislation to allow Theresa May to start formal Brexit talks has cleared its first Commons hurdle after MPs gave it a second reading by 498 votes to 114 - a majority of 384. Wednesday February 1, 2017. Photo: PA Wire
MPs in the House of Commons, London, as legislation to allow Theresa May to start formal Brexit talks has cleared its first Commons hurdle after MPs gave it a second reading by 498 votes to 114 - a majority of 384. Wednesday February 1, 2017. Photo: PA Wire

Five Hundred MPs crammed the yes lobby to give their assent to the commencement of talks to release the UK from the chains of EU membership.

One year ago this week I addressed a rally of 3,000 people in Kettering to commence the referendum campaign.

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At that time more than half of those MPs who voted along with me tonight were calling on the people of the UK to vote no in the referendum.

DUP MLA Sammy Wilson (second from right) celebrates last June with Leave supporters at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast, after the Leave campaign claimed victory in the EU referendum. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA WireDUP MLA Sammy Wilson (second from right) celebrates last June with Leave supporters at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast, after the Leave campaign claimed victory in the EU referendum. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
DUP MLA Sammy Wilson (second from right) celebrates last June with Leave supporters at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast, after the Leave campaign claimed victory in the EU referendum. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

They lost the argument and it was pleasing to see them accepting the verdict of the people despite their previous views.

Tonight we saw democracy in action and I have been proud to play a small part in the outcome of this exercise of people power.

Despite the threats, lies, bullying, insults from the great and the good and the chattering classes, and the bias of the media especially the BBC the people held their nerve and refused to be cowed by the political, media, academic and business elite.

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At times some of us despaired that the might of the governmental machine and the pro EU establishment would be able to use its superior firepower to win the referendum battle.

The House of Commons votes to set Brexit in motionThe House of Commons votes to set Brexit in motion
The House of Commons votes to set Brexit in motion

I want to thank all those millions of individuals who stood firm and secured this great victory.

We now have the opportunity to exercise our own choices as to the laws we want, make our own deals with expanding economies across the world, control who comes and lives in our country and retain our own taxes to spend on the priorities we set.

We face a bright future and I look forward to the role which I and my colleagues can play in securing it.

Sammy Wilson MP, East Antrim

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Related topics:MPsSammy WilsonKetteringBBCBrexit