A Bristol constituency has the highest number of signatures on a petition to stop the Brexit process dead in its tracks.
The petition calling for Article 50 to be revoked – a move which would see Britain remain in the European Union – has attracted more than one million signatures in less than 24 hours. The sheer number of people attempting to access the petition has seen Parliament’s website crash twice today.
In the data breakdown by constituencies, Bristol West is shown to have highest number of signatories in the country, with more than 7,000 people – almost six per cent of those living in the constituency – putting their name to it by 3pm on Thursday, March 21.
Thangam Debbonaire, the Labour MP for Bristol West, said her electorate “topping the charts” showed the strength of feeling in the city for staying the EU.
The opposition whip said: “It is clear the country is not ready to leave the EU next week. I am focused on securing this extension and preventing the UK from crashing out without a deal. This would be disastrous for Bristol's jobs, environment and much more.
“One option is revoking Article 50 and it is no surprise that my constituents are topping the charts of signatories to the petition to revoke it.
“I am proud to serve and represent a constituency which is so engaged in the political process.
"The vast majority of people in Bristol West clearly share my view, that remaining in the EU is the best possible relationship for the UK to have with its neighbours.”
But Commons leader, Conservative MP Andrea Leadsom, dismissed the petition as not being on the same scale as the pro-Brexit vote in the 2016 referendum.
"Should it reach 17.4 million respondents then I am sure there will be a very clear case for taking action," she told MPs.
Brexit: Is Theresa May telling the truth when she says she has public on her side?
In December, the European Court of Justice ruled that the UK can unilaterally revoke Article 50 of the Treaty of the European Union.
The judges’ conclusion means the UK can decide to stay in the EU and put a stop to Brexit without requiring the consent of the 27 other member states.
Petitions that secure more than 100,000 signatures will be granted a debate in Parliament – although whether the topic of revoking Article 50 will be discussed before the original Brexit deadline of March 29 remains to be seen.
The petition to stop Brexit in its tracks picked up support after a tumultuous week in which Theresa May was forced to ask the EU for more time to deliver Brexit, having seen her exit deal defeated twice.
She has asked for an How your Bristol MP voted as Commons agrees to ask for Brexit extension until June 30, a date European leaders were deliberating on in Brussels on Thursday.
Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, said on Wednesday that the EU 27 member states were likely to grant a short extension as long as MPs approve an exit deal next week.
How your Bristol MP voted as Commons agrees to ask for Brexit extension
Mrs May later made a direct appeal, in a televised “address to the nation”, to the public about the move to extend Article 50 and pointed the finger of blame at the House of Commons for the delay.
Speaking from Downing Street, she said: “Of this I am absolutely sure – you the public have had enough.
“You want this stage of the Brexit process to be over and done with. I agree – I am on your side. It is now time for MPs to decide.”
The Prime Minister has been heavily criticised for the tone of the speech, with Ms Debbonaire calling the Tory leader’s decision to pit the public against Parliament “very dangerous for democracy and for MPs and staff”.
How many people from each constituency has signed the ‘revoke Article 50’ petition*
- Bristol West – 7,280
- Bristol South – 3,286
- Bristol North West – 2,638
- Bristol East – 2,515
- North Somerset – 2,303
- Filton and Bradley Stoke – 1,866
- North East Somerset – 1,811
- Thornbury and Yate – 1,407
- Weston-super-Mare – 1,399
- Kingswood – 1,284
* as of 3.45pm on Thursday, March 21
