The Government has a clear mandate from the British people to leave the EU, an election will further strengthen the Prime Minister’s negotiating hand in Europe.
Division in Westminster, from those who want to derail or frustrate the Brexit process risks weakening the Government’s hand in its negotiations with Europe.
While I believe the will of the British people, expressed in the 23rd June is a strong mandate for any Government, an election will ensure we have strong leadership, certainty and stability for a full five years, not just up to the point at which we leave the European Union but beyond it too.
This is an exciting opportunity for our country. If, after the 8th June, we come away with a larger majority the government will have the strongest possible hand to deliver the best deal for Britain in the negotiations.
But, it is also an opportunity to put reform of family justice at the top of the government’s agenda. A few weeks ago I presented a Ten Minute Rule Bill to the House, calling on the government to be tougher on enforcing child arrangement orders, which are currently breached more or less with impunity.
I also set out that a presumption in favour of shared parenting should be established when determining the contact and residence of the children. Every child has a right to a meaningful relationship with both parents.
Shared parenting and robust enforcement form part of the package of reforms that is needed if we are to bring our antiquated family law into the 21st century. We also need a commission on reform of wider aspects of family justice covering no fault divorce, cohabitants’ rights, reform of financial remedies, better mediation/out of court settlement, opening up the family courts and enforceability of pre-nuptial agreements.
I have received wide ranging support from MPs of all stripes, now we need the government to make these reforms a priority and to get family justice reform on the manifesto.