I CLOSED the Budget debate in the House of Commons on Monday and welcomed Parliament passing the bill authorising the Prime Minister to trigger Article 50.

Whilst I voted to remain in the EU the British people have given us a clear instruction that they want to leave the EU and we need to unite as a country behind the result of the vote that took place.

Parliament has backed the Government in its determination to get on with the job of leaving the EU and negotiating a positive new partnership with its remaining member states.

Let me say that as the UK takes a new direction we are paving the way for a Britain that is economically strong and stable, a Britain that is open for business and a Britain at the forefront of technological progress.

In short this is a Britain that takes its place in the world as a prosperous, forward-leaning, outward-facing country. It is a truly global Britain and a country that works for everyone. A total of 32 MPs contributed to the debate and many were focusing on how we make Brexit a success for the whole country.

The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP opened the debate. He expressed the fact that Britain must now, as ever, continue to play an active, engaged and constructive role on the international stage.

Labour MP Adrian Bailey thanked me during the budget debate for meeting with him recently and listening to his concerns about co-operatives. It’s great news that the Chancellor has included this measure.

Simon Kirby is Conservative MP for Kemptown