Andy Street: We must respect Brexit and not hold second referendum

Instead, the Conservative mayor believes the best way forward is to secure a deal with the European Union.

He said the results of the 2016 referendum must be ‘respected’ as the West Midlands voted in favour of leaving the EU.

Mr Street has called on Prime Minister Theresa May to find a deal that will ‘help secure business’ in the West Midlands.

He made the comments as the British government is yet to find a solution on Brexit with talks ongoing.

Mr Street told the Express & Star: “We have to respect the outcome of the referendum. I do not agree with the talk of a second referendum and talks of revoking Article 50.

“The people in the West Midlands in particular were very clear that they expect to leave.”

Each of the seven borough in the West Midlands Combined Authority – including the Black Country boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton – voted to leave Europe during the Brexit referendum held on June 23, 2016.

However, the future of Brexit remains up in the air, as the government and parliament has been unable to decide on a final option going forward. MPs have already rejected Mrs May’s deal, which she made with the EU after long-running negotiations, three times in the Houses of Parliament. Since her latest defeat Mrs May has been holding talks with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and European leaders to find a way forward.

Mr Street said the best path for businesses in the West Midlands would be to make a deal with the European Union.

He continued: “We do need a deal. Leaving with a deal is in the interests of West Midlands businesses, that is critical.I still hope that the Prime Minster and, indeed, Jeremy Corbyn will be able to find that deal that gets parliamentary support and it will help secure business in the West Midlands.”