South Warwickshire MPs not among EU referendum rebels

Neither Warwick and Leamington MP Chris White nor Kenilworth and Southam MP Jeremy Wright were among rebels backing a motion calling for a referendum on whether the UK should remain in the European Union.

The motion was debated after a petition was signed by more than 100,000 people, was defeated by 483 votes to 111.

All Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour MPs were ordered to vote against it, but 81 Tories rebelled.

Speaking to a meeting of Leamington’s Chamber of Trade on Friday, Mr White said pulling out of Europe would be a “major mistake” and called the debate “an unnecessary distraction”.

Mr Wright, a Conservative whip who is happy to describe himself as a Eurosceptic, said the motion was flawed.

While he did not rule out withdrawal one day, he said it was in the UK’s interest to remain a member and that it was wrong to discuss withdrawal when negotiations about the future of the EU were pending.

Stratford MP Nadhim Zahawi also voted against the motion.

• See Friday’s Courier and Weekly News for the full story.