THE decision by the United Kingdom to leave the European Union was “delivered by the people” and not “an act of madness” by the British government, Ulster Unionist MP Tom Elliott has said.
The Fermanagh-south Tyrone was speaking at Westminster as he voted to trigger Article 50 which formally notifies the intention to withdraw from the EU and the countdown to Brexit.
“This is a historic decision that we are taking in Parliament, but let us not forget that the decision has already been delivered by the people of the United Kingdom. We gave them the opportunity to have their say and they have had it,” he said.
Mr. Elliott said it was not “an act of madness of this House” and added: “I deplore that suggestion, as this decision was delivered by the people and we must respect it.” 
He spoke of the importance of common travel area and an open Border “one that is as open as possible so that we can have good friendships with the EU when we leave it.”
“We are not leaving Europe, we in Northern Ireland are just as good Europeans as anybody. We went to help those Europeans, and we still want that common relationship.”
The indecision, said Mr. Elliott, is “putting our economy in a difficult position.”
Meanwhile, Border Communities Against Brexit has submitted written evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee’s inquiry into the future of the land Border with the Republic of Ireland.
The group whose Fermanagh spokesman is Father Joe McVeigh explained that “voices of those of us in the Border region are not being listened to when it comes to the implications of Brexit.”
“If Brexit proceeds under the current constitutional arrangements, the Border dividing Ireland will become an external Border of the EU, possibly classified by the EU as a third country.
“There is no reassurance for us in hearing both the British and Irish Governments state publicly that they do not wish to see the reintroduction of Border control’s and customs posts, and the closure of hundreds of Border roads.”
In its evidence, the group explained there are 270 Border roads in Northern Ireland, in the past there was approximately 17 official crossings.
“Currently if you live more than 50 miles from the European Border you must apply a week in advance to gain entry, anyone living within 50 miles can apply for a yearly pass.
“From the very damaging economic effect on business, the 30,000 workers who cross the Border daily, the tens of thousands who visit family and friends, and the tens of thousands who for work or sporting fixtures, or those who choose to holiday and travel north and south on a regular basis, a hard Border would be a disaster.”
Border Communities Against Brexit concluded: “While on the fringes we have groups who are ready and willing to use people’s emotions and difficult economic conditions to create division seek a return to our past.”