A LOT has been said about the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal, positive and negative, understandably of course, writes Redditch's MP as part of her Letter from Westminster.

This is a critical time for our country and after two years of polarising debate, people are still as divided as ever on the way forward for our country.

I’ve already made my position on the Prime Minister’s deal clear. I will be voting for it next week.

For a detailed and lengthy explanation why, please visit my website www.rachelmaclean.uk

There has been a lot of misinformation over key aspects of the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal. The backstop seems to be the biggest reason why colleagues of mine, at the moment, aren’t supporting the deal.

It is important to remember that matters of law affecting the withdrawal can only inform what is essentially a political decision that each MP must make.

This is a question not of the lawfulness of the Government’s action but as a matter of policy and political judgment, of entering into an international agreement on the terms proposed.

We must also remember this. The EU has divided their four freedoms; freedom of labour, capital, goods and services, to reach this compromise on the backstop.

The backstop isn’t where we’re heading – it’s an insurance policy. The EU will be just as uncomfortable entering the backstop as the UK would.

We’ll have access to the Single Market and the Customs Union without being a member, without paying into the EU budget and without accepting freedom of movement. I really don’t think remaining EU countries will be happy with this situation. The UK benefiting from their Single Market and Customs Union without being a member.

Like most people I am not happy with the backstop. I don’t want to see the UK enter the backstop. I believe we will have our future relationship in place by the time the Implementation Period comes to an end in December 2020.

If this deal is voted down next week I fear what happens next. There is not a majority in Parliament of MPs who support Brexit. I do, but it’s clear to me from sitting in the House of Commons that there could be a majority of MPs in favour of supporting a second referendum or stopping Brexit altogether. We can’t let this happen.

I’ve thought long and hard about the decision I’m making. My conscious will be clear knowing in my heart-of-hearts that I’m making the right decision.

This deal delivers Brexit and what my constituents voted for in the referendum.