Brexit: Revoke Article 50 petition called into question over thousands of overseas signatures
A petition for the UK to revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU has been called into question after it was revealed more people in France have signed the petition than across Shropshire and Mid-Wales.
More than six million people have so far signed the online petition, including around 33,000 people in Shropshire and Mid-Wales.
But the petition has also been signed by thousands of non-UK residents, including more than 45,000 in France, 25,000 in Spain and 20,000 in Australia.
Conservative MP Mike Wood said: "It's flattering that people in other countries are obviously taking such an interest, but this is a decision that has been taken in Britain and it's time politicians did as we were told."
As well as the 32,945 signatures across Shropshire and Mid-Wales, there has also been 39,140 signatures in the Black Country and 24,812 signatures across the border in Cannock Chase, South Staffordshire, Stafford and Stone.
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The highest number of signatures came in Daniel Kawczynski's constituency of Shrewsbury and Atcham, with 9,555 signatures. This area also had the highest proportion of signatures, with 8.98 per cent of residents putting their name to the petition.
Despite the high number of votes, Mr Kawczynski has told the Shropshire Star the result of the 2016 referendum "must be respected".
He said: "I think the most important thing is that we respect the result of the referendum and that is why I voted for the Prime Minister's deal last time around. We have to implement the wishes of the British people.
"I think there will be compromises going forward, perhaps around the customs union, because the nation is so divided. But we must respect the outcome of the referendum."
The highest number of signatures across the three regions came in Shropshire and Mid-Wales where there were more than 33,000 signatures across just five constituencies.
Shrewsbury and Atcham's near 10,000 signatures was followed by 6,870 in Ludlow, 6,498 in North Shropshire and 4,766 in Montgomeryshire. The percentage of the population who have signed is 7.96, 5.96 and 7.53 respectively. Mark Pritchard's Wrekin constituency had the lowest proportion with 5.52 per cent.
The lowest number of signatures across the three regions, and the lowest proportion, came in Walsall North where just 1,970 residents – or 1.98 per cent of the population – put their name to the petition.
More people in countries such as Singapore, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates signed the petition than the residents of Walsall North.
Constituency MP Eddie Hughes said: "The fact more people in Singapore have signed this petition than those in Walsall North just serves to highlight its lack of credibility.
Reflect
"The low number of signatures in Walsall North shows how strong the feeling is towards Brexit and why I am working hard to make sure that is achieved."
Asked about his constituency having the lowest proportion of signatures in the region, and one of the lowest in the country, Mr Hughes added: "That would reflect what I hear when I am out knocking on doors and handing out leaflets. I have not spoken to a single person who has said they want to revoke Article 50.
"No one wants to go back on their decision, they want to see Brexit delivered."
Other constituencies with low signatures included Dudley North, West Bromwich East and West, Wolverhampton North East and Wolverhampton South East.
Less than three per cent of residents in each of the five areas have signed the petition, with a combined 11,200 signatures. This is less than the number of people who have signed the petition in countries such as Canada and the US.
In Dudley South and Cannock Chase, a little more than three per cent of the constituencies population have signed the petition.
Conservative MP Mike Wood, who represents Dudley South, said: "I can't claim to speak for the voters of Hong Kong or Helsinki, but it is clear that my constituents in Dudley South want us to get on with leaving the European Union.
"Some of the 30 per cent who voted remain have still not accepted the referendum result nearly three years later, but the vast majority of people locally either haven't changed their mind since they voted to leave, or voted remain but now think we should respect the result."
The Black Country constituency with the most support for a revoke of Article 50 is Wolverhampton South West, where 4,778 residents – 5.44 per cent of the population – have signed.
Local MP Eleanor Smith said: "I don’t think revoking Article 50 is the right thing to do. It’s no surprise that the petition has gained a lot of signatures, because resolving Brexit is a very important issue, and Parliament has not managed come to a decision on it. I’m sure a public vote petition would also gain a lot of signatures.
"My preference is for Parliament to have the time and opportunity to debate credible alternatives to prevent no deal or a damaging deal, because so far it’s been the PMs deal or no deal. I think the PMs deal will have a negative impact on people’s jobs, workers’ rights, living standards and our public services.
"That is why on Monday, in the second round of indicative votes on Brexit, I backed the options known as ‘Customs Union’, ‘Common market 2.0’ and ‘Confirmatory Public Vote’. These alternatives include a close economic relationship with Europe and a public vote, and I hope Jeremy Corbyn’s discussions with Theresa May lead to her compromising one of these.”
Across the border in Staffordshire, Stafford, Stone and Lichfield all had high numbers of signatures.
Lichfield had the highest proportion of residents – at 7.03 per cent – followed by Stafford at 6.41 per cent and Stone, the constituency of ardent Brexiteer Sir Bill Cash, at 6.28 per cent.
