Many constituents have been in touch about the suspension of Parliament.

I share their deep concern that the people’s democratic institutions are being deliberately shut down at a time when the country is facing political and potentially economic and constitutional crises, and solely because the Prime Minister hasn’t got a majority in the House of Commons and wants to force through a no-deal Brexit.

Regardless of anyone’s views on Brexit and whatever the arguments about what people did or didn’t vote for in 2016, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t to allow this abysmal and potentially dangerous state of affairs.

A no-deal Brexit flies in the face of what the Leave campaign said throughout the referendum campaign. It would have a hugely detrimental impact here in St Helens and on people, businesses and communities across the country. Already, St Helens Council is making contingency plans to ensure sick and elderly people can access medicines and kids can get school meals.

I will continue to work closely with MPs from across the House of Commons in the next number of weeks to try and stop prorogation, and also unapologetically and unequivocally continue to oppose a no-deal Brexit.