News from Navin Shah (past staff): Brent and Harrow residents urged to have their say on Brexit

Brent and Harrow residents urged to have their say on Brexit as negotiations continue

Local residents and businesses in Brent and Harrow are being asked to give their views on Brexit and what it means for them and their families. A year on from the vote to leave the European Union (EU), Local London Assembly Member, Navin Shah AM, has launched a survey to get local views on how Brexit will impact on a wide range of issues including jobs, the cost of living and public services. Mr Shah said the government have a “duty to listen to what Londoners want” out of the negotiations.

In the EU in June 2016, 48.1 per cent of voters chose to remain in the EU, whilst 51.9 per cent chose to leave.

Yet London bucked the national trend with 59.9 per cent choosing remain. In Brent 60% voted to remain, with 40% voting to leave, and in Harrow 55% voted to remain, and 45% to leave. The majority of businesses in London and the UK also backed continued EU membership.

Whilst polling shows that the majority of Londoners would still like to remain in the EU, negotiations are underway to leave the union with Brexit expected to be completed by March 2019. Mr Shah is now asking local people and business about the type of Brexit they would like to see and what issues they think the government should focus on in the negotiations. He will present the findings in a report later this year to ensure local priorities are taken on board by Ministers.

Local London Assembly Member, Navin Shah AM, said:

“A year on from Brexit, now that people have had some time to process the result, I want to hear from Brent and Harrow residents, local businesses and stakeholders on what their thoughts and concerns are as we start to move through the negotiations.

“Brexit negotiations are going to take time and there is a lot of uncertainty, but it is vital local people and local businesses have a voice. The government have a duty to listen to what Londoners want out of the deal they’re trying to secure. I’ll be asking the Mayor to ensure local priorities are fed through to Ministers and are truly taken on board, to make sure that Brent’s priorities and concerns are heard and I urge you to participate in my survey.”