A DAY is a very long time in this extraordinary era of politics.

As I write, the Prime Minister has managed to unite the country against a universally unpopular deal, and the only certainty we have is that if nothing changes we will crash out of Europe on March 29, 2019.

Understandably a great many people across the city are concerned. I am one of them.

After 28 months of uncertainty we have now learnt that the Prime Minister’s deal will not secure the UK’s future, and as we watch the Government implode,it is evident the deal is dead.

Last week, I asked the Prime Minister if she would extend Article 50 to avoid the country falling off a cliff edge. She refused.

Once again we see Tory Party interests put ahead of safeguarding the future of our economy, jobs, the environment, trade and our national security.

Even the Cabinet is divided three ways. Some saying the deal maintains too close a link with the EU, others that Parliament will prevent a ‘no deal’, while a few loyally and blindly backing Theresa May.

The Government is collapsing because it can no longer get its business through the House of Commons, as we saw this week when the DUP withdrew its support.

Labour set out six tests which would safeguard our trade, relationships, rights and security as well as protect EU citizens who live and work in the UK.

The Government’s deal fails to meet any of these, so I will be voting against the deal; a deal which puts us in a place of weakness, not strength.

With no effective Government, and no deal, then Parliament must be empowered to determine how we progress from this impasse.

Labour believes that we must have a strong trading relationship with Europe’s market, on no less favourable terms and a Customs Union; full protection of workers’, environmental and citizens’ rights and no dilution of our national security.

As internationalists, we believe the world is better when it comes together and discusses the challenges before us, and believe that this has been a major advantage of the European Union.

However, we also recognise that for some, austerity has left far too many behind.

Prof Philip Alston, the UN Rapporteur, reminded us this week that 14 million people are living in poverty.

He vividly described the shocking poverty that many people in York experience daily as a result of this Government’s policies.

Labour wants our global and European institutions to radically reform to address economic and social inequality.

Politics, for me, has never been about staying static, but about moving to a fairer and more just society.

Breaking vital links with Europe will only make our nation poorer.

We are determined to address this, and therefore, have said we need a General Election to sort out our nation and our relationship with Europe.

Failing this, then all options are back on the table, including a public vote on the final deal.

Labour will not let the UK slide off a cliff edge; we will not regress on the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland by creating new borders; and we will not let this country down.

I have heard the call from my constituents, and will deliver for you.

This is my promise.