MP for Taunton Deane Rebecca Pow voted against a motion aimed at protecting the rights of European nationals living in the UK post-Brexit, a decision branded as “disappointing” by foreign nationals living in Taunton.

The debate, held on Wednesday, October 19, saw the House of Commons divided 250 ayes to 293 noes on a motion that aimed to secure the rights of the EU nationals.

The motion was tabled by SNP MP for Edinburgh South West, Joanna Cherry. She said during the debate: “I beg to move that this house recognises the contribution that nationals from other countries in the EU have made to the UK; and calls on the government to ensure that all nationals from other countries in the EU who have made the UK their home retain their current rights, including the rights to live and work in the UK, should the UK exit the EU.”

The general consensus of the opposition was that the motion did not encompass the rights of UK nationals living in the EU, it only sought to secure the rights of the EU nationals living in the UK.

Ms Pow said: “EU nationals make an invaluable contribution to this country and the prime minister has given assurances that there will be no immediate change to their position in the UK.

“However, we must remember that there are 1.2 million British citizens living elsewhere in the EU and it also falls upon the government to protect and secure their rights as well.

“I personally believe that it will be in the best interests of everyone if both the legal status of EU nationals living here can be guaranteed as well as the rights of British citizens abroad.

“I would like to make clear to my constituents that detailed and lengthy negotiations will be carried out on this issue and I am confident that this government can deliver an outcome that will work for all concerned.”

Monika Stennentt, a member of the Polish Association in Taunton Deane, said: “I am hugely disappointed in our MP. In Taunton, there is such a good Polish community that contributes a lot.

“I don’t see how she can justify this decision. You have to think about the contribution in your community, this is the start of the dialogue and I think it would have been good for her to set an example.”

MP for Yeovil, Marcus Fysh, also voted no to the motion.

He said: “I will be doing all I can to make sure the rights of EU nationals living in this country as well as those of the more than 1 million British citizens living in other EU countries are protected.

“I have no doubt that a suitable reciprocal agreement should be forthcoming. The government must be allowed to argue for fair and positive treatment, in this and other matters concerning Brexit, rather than being bound prior to negotiation by unilateral positions suggested by the SNP or others for their own political purposes.”