Debate on Tuesday, 4 December 2018, in the House of Commons, led by Baroness May of Maidenhead. The answering members were Steve Barclay, Jeremy Corbyn and Paul Blomfield.

European Union (Withdrawal) Act

Motion that this House approves for the purposes of section 13(1)(b) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the negotiated withdrawal agreement laid before the House on Monday 26 November 2018 with the title 'Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community' and the framework for the future relationship laid before the House on Monday 26 November 2018 with the title 'Political Declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom'. First allotted day. Debate to be resumed tomorrow.

Secondary information

Type: Parliamentary proceeding
Reference: 650 cc745-861
Session: 2017-19
Department: Prime Minister; Department for Exiting the European Union
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Related items: Political Declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom
Monday, 26 November 2018
Unprinted papers
House of Lords
House of Commons; Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community
Monday, 26 November 2018
Unprinted papers
House of Lords
House of Commons
Proceeding contributions: Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c746 (Link to this contribution)
I beg to move,
That this House approves for the purposes of section 13(1)(b) of the Europea...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 650 c746 (Link to this contribution)
The right hon. Lady has lost in the Supreme Court and in the European Court, and today she has lo...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 cc746-7 (Link to this contribution)
As I have just said, membership of any union that involves the pooling of sovereignty can only be...; Anne Marie Morris | 650 c747 (Link to this contribution)
Having read this agreement, it seems to me that we will not be able to enter into trade agreement...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c747 (Link to this contribution)
I do not think my hon. Friend will be surprised if I say that I do not agree with the analysis th...; Stephen Doughty | 650 c747 (Link to this contribution)
The Prime Minister spoke of security co-operation, yet when I asked the Home Secretary the other ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c747 (Link to this contribution)
As the hon. Gentleman knows full well, I think, the political declaration and the security sectio...; Wes Streeting | 650 c747 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 cc747-8 (Link to this contribution)
I am going to make some progress for a minute.
Achieving all the things that I have just se...; 650 c748 (Link to this contribution); Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c748 (Link to this contribution)
I will take a significant number of interventions, but I will make some progress at this stage.; Wes Streeting | 650 c748 (Link to this contribution)
My constituency was split pretty much down the middle during the referendum. May I explain the cr...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c748 (Link to this contribution)
The deal that I have negotiated provides that good security co-operation while protecting the job...; Kevin Hollinrake | 650 c748 (Link to this contribution)
If Parliament does not support the Prime Minister’s deal, what is the most likely outcome—no deal...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c749 (Link to this contribution)
I will reference the problems if Parliament does not support this deal a little later in my speec...; Catherine McKinnell | 650 c749 (Link to this contribution)
I absolutely agree with the Prime Minister that we need to start coming together as a country onc...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c749 (Link to this contribution)
As I have said in this Chamber before, it is very important that all of us in this House recognis...; Lord McLoughlin | 650 c749 (Link to this contribution)
Will the deal that my right hon. Friend has agreed ensure that inward investment in this country,...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c749 (Link to this contribution)
That is absolutely what underpinned the proposal that we put forward in the summer, and it is wha...; Geoffrey Clifton-Brown | 650 c749 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend has courageously and consistently said that there will be no second referend...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c749 (Link to this contribution)
I do, indeed, agree with my hon. Friend. I think a second referendum would exacerbate division in...; 650 c749 (Link to this contribution); Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c749 (Link to this contribution)
I will give way to the hon. Member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Patricia Gibson), and then I wil...; Patricia Gibson | 650 c749 (Link to this contribution)
The Prime Minister has repeatedly referenced the 52% who voted to leave, but I am still confused ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c750 (Link to this contribution)
The Electoral Commission stills says it believes that it was a fair poll, and I believe that we s...; Emma Reynolds | 650 c750 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Angela Eagle | 650 c750 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c750 (Link to this contribution)
I have said I will make some progress, and then I will be generous in my acceptance of interventi...; Simon Hoare | 650 c750 (Link to this contribution)
The deal that my right hon. Friend has brought back has my full and unequivocal support, but may ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c750 (Link to this contribution)
I am very happy to give my hon. Friend that absolute reassurance, but more than that, we will be ...; 650 c750 (Link to this contribution); Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c750 (Link to this contribution)
I will take two further interventions.; Stephen Timms | 650 c750 (Link to this contribution)
On 30 March, under the agreement, the UK will lose its place on the European Data Protection Boar...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c750 (Link to this contribution)
The position in terms of voting rights and various elements once we have left the European Union ...; Bob Seely | 650 c751 (Link to this contribution)
It is unfortunate for the Government to be in contempt of Parliament. Does the Prime Minister agr...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c751 (Link to this contribution)
I absolutely agree that it is the duty, I believe, of this Parliament and it is the duty of us as...; 650 c751 (Link to this contribution); Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c751 (Link to this contribution)
I will make some progress.
The decision we have before us has two elements to it: the withd...; Alberto Costa | 650 c751 (Link to this contribution)
Will the Prime Minister give way?; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c751 (Link to this contribution)
If I may, I will just make a little progress.
The withdrawal agreement ensures that we leav...; Alberto Costa | 650 c751 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the Prime Minister for giving way and apologise for intervening. Two years ago, I said to...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c751 (Link to this contribution)
The withdrawal agreement does indeed guarantee those citizens’ rights—the rights of UK citizens i...; Conor Burns | 650 c751 (Link to this contribution)
No one can doubt the Prime Minister’s commitment to the deal and the passion with which she is se...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c752 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend raises a point. I recognise that there are representatives of Northern Ireland in ...; Lady Hermon | 650 c752 (Link to this contribution)
Although the Democratic Unionist party has 10 MPs in the House, it campaigned for leave and the m...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c752 (Link to this contribution)
I am happy to give the hon. Lady that absolute assurance. The issue was referenced in the Decembe...; 650 c752 (Link to this contribution); Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c752 (Link to this contribution)
I give way to the leader of the DUP.; Lord Dodds of Duncairn | 650 c752 (Link to this contribution)
I am very grateful to the Prime Minister. Of course, the referendum was for the whole United King...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c753 (Link to this contribution)
The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right: there was that reference to the consent of the Nort...; 650 c753 (Link to this contribution); Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c753 (Link to this contribution)
I will continue to take interventions, but I am going to make some more progress now.
The w...; John Baron | 650 c753 (Link to this contribution)
The Prime Minister is well aware that many of us have wished her well in these negotiations, but ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c753 (Link to this contribution)
I recognise the concerns there are in the House and, if my hon. Friend will permit me, I want to ...; John Bercow | 650 c753 (Link to this contribution)
May I just very gently exhort the Prime Minister to face the House? In answering her hon. Friend,...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c754 (Link to this contribution)
I understand that some colleagues are worried, as I have just said, that we could end up stuck in...; Shailesh Vara | 650 c754 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to the Prime Minister for giving way—indeed, she is being very generous in giving w...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c754 (Link to this contribution)
I recognise the degree of concern that there is about this issue, and I will go on to speak about...; Daniel Kawczynski | 650 c755 (Link to this contribution)
Will my right hon. Friend give way?; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c755 (Link to this contribution)
If I could finish this point, it might respond to some of the comments. Rather than focusing on t...; George Freeman | 650 c755 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Daniel Kawczynski | 650 c755 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c755 (Link to this contribution)
I give way to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Norfolk (George Freeman).; George Freeman | 650 c755 (Link to this contribution)
As the Prime Minister confronts the inevitable contradictions at the heart of this process on beh...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c755 (Link to this contribution)
It is important that all hon. Members remember not only that the House voted overwhelmingly to gi...; Daniel Kawczynski | 650 c756 (Link to this contribution)
Will my right hon. Friend give way?; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c756 (Link to this contribution)
I will give way to my hon. Friend, who has been trying valiantly for some time to intervene, and ...; Daniel Kawczynski | 650 c756 (Link to this contribution)
Yesterday, we tried to ask the Attorney General for his legal advice as to how much of the £39 bi...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c756 (Link to this contribution)
There are different elements to the £39 billion in terms of the liabilities to which they refer. ...; Alison McGovern | 650 c756 (Link to this contribution)
I must intervene at this point. The Prime Minister claims that this political declaration is deta...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c756 (Link to this contribution)
The economic analysis that was produced by the Government last week made it very clear that withi...; Yvette Cooper | 650 c757 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the Prime Minister for giving way—she is being very generous—but does she not understand ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c757 (Link to this contribution)
I have said this to Members before, and I will say it again. There is a difference between ensuri...; Angela Eagle | 650 c757 (Link to this contribution)
Will the Prime Minister give way?; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c757 (Link to this contribution)
No; I am sorry.
This is a fundamental issue which has underpinned the approach to these neg...; Yvette Cooper | 650 c757 (Link to this contribution)
Will the Prime Minister give way on that point?; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c757 (Link to this contribution)
No. I am sorry.
That is exactly what we have in the political declaration.; 650 c757 (Link to this contribution); Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c757 (Link to this contribution)
I will give way to the right hon. Member for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper)...; Yvette Cooper | 650 c758 (Link to this contribution)
I am hugely grateful to the Prime Minister for giving way, but she tried to get exactly the same ...; John Bercow | 650 c758 (Link to this contribution)
I am sure the right hon. Lady will want to make it clear that she is not suggesting that the Prim...; Yvette Cooper | 650 c758 (Link to this contribution)
I certainly am encouraging forthrightness. I would not challenge the Prime Minister’s integrity, ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c758 (Link to this contribution)
We are clear about the capabilities that are currently available to us as a member of SIS II and ...; Hilary Benn | 650 c758 (Link to this contribution)
Will the Prime Minister give way on that point?; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c758 (Link to this contribution)
I give way to the Chairman of the Exiting the European Union Committee.; Hilary Benn | 650 c759 (Link to this contribution)
The Prime Minister is being extremely generous in giving way. She said a moment ago that the Hous...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c759 (Link to this contribution)
The outline of that mandate will be set in the political declaration; that is the deal that has b...; Lord Johnson of Marylebone | 650 c759 (Link to this contribution)
As the UK will have lost the ability to influence EU rule-making on financial services directly, ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 cc759-761 (Link to this contribution)
Article 129 is about the joint committee responsible for the management, administration and super...; 650 c761 (Link to this contribution); Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c761 (Link to this contribution)
I have been very generous with interventions, and I will take further interventions in a few minu...; Vicky Ford | 650 c761 (Link to this contribution)
I congratulate the Prime Minister on two years of the trickiest negotiations in our lifetime. Som...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c761 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend raises a very important point. Exactly. They certainly do not intend to do that. T...; Sarah Wollaston | 650 c761 (Link to this contribution)
I welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to engage further with the Select Committees. When she ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c761 (Link to this contribution)
If my hon. Friend is concerned about no deal, the way to ensure that there is a deal is to suppor...; Stewart Malcolm McDonald | 650 c761 (Link to this contribution)
This feels like the fall of the ancien régime this afternoon—[Interruption.] No, I think the righ...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c762 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman knows full well that we have had a high degree of engagement with the Scottish...; Rebecca Pow | 650 c762 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the Prime Minister for her generosity in giving way. My youngest child has just gone to u...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c762 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my hon. Friend, who may have anticipated what I am about to say. I can absolutely give he...; 650 c763 (Link to this contribution); Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c763 (Link to this contribution)
I am conscious that I have now been speaking and taking interventions for an hour. Many Members w...; 650 c763 (Link to this contribution); Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c763 (Link to this contribution)
No, I am not going to take any more interventions.
Mr Speaker, I have spent nearly two year...; 650 c763 (Link to this contribution); Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c763 (Link to this contribution)
No, I am concluding. I have faced fierce criticism from all sides. If I had banged the table, wal...; John Bercow | 650 c763 (Link to this contribution)
Order. Mr MacNeil, I am concerned—[Interruption.] No, you were chuntering noisily from a sedentar...; Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 cc763-4 (Link to this contribution)
Politics is as much about listening to people from all sides of the debate and then doing what yo...; 650 c764 (Link to this contribution); Baroness May of Maidenhead | 650 c764 (Link to this contribution)
I am concluding.
To all sides of the debate, to every Member in every party, I say that thi...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 cc764-5 (Link to this contribution)
This is a seminal debate in the history of this House and for the future of our country. I have b...; Chris Leslie | 650 c765 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c765 (Link to this contribution)
Mr Speaker—[Hon. Members: “Give way.”] Mr Speaker, it could have all been so different. Following...; John Bercow | 650 c765 (Link to this contribution)
Order. Calm yourselves. Some of these antics are rather undesirable and to be deprecated. They ma...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c765 (Link to this contribution)
It could have all been so different. Following the 2017 general election—[Interruption.]; John Bercow | 650 c765 (Link to this contribution)
Order. I am going to say it once, but I will say it as many times as necessary, and colleagues wh...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c765 (Link to this contribution)
Thank you, Mr Speaker. It could have all been so different. Following the 2017 general election, ...; Chris Leslie | 650 c766 (Link to this contribution)
Will my right hon. Friend allow me, on that point?; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c766 (Link to this contribution)
Mr Speaker, no deal is not a real option, and the Government know that, because they are not seri...; Philip Dunne | 650 c766 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Chris Leslie | 650 c766 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c766 (Link to this contribution)
I give way to the hon. Gentleman.; Philip Dunne | 650 c766 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for having the courage to give way to someone on this s...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c766 (Link to this contribution)
I am quite happy to debate with the Prime Minister. I notice she was not very keen to debate with...; Chris Leslie | 650 c766 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Rupa Huq | 650 c766 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c766 (Link to this contribution)
I give way to my hon. Friend.; Rupa Huq | 650 c766 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for giving way. He makes a very good point: Brexit is paint...; John Bercow | 650 c767 (Link to this contribution)
Before we proceed, may I say very gently to the House that interventions should be brief, not min...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c767 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my hon. Friend for her intervention. The Labour party discussed this issue at great lengt...; Chris Leslie | 650 c767 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Mike Amesbury | 650 c767 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c767 (Link to this contribution)
I give way to my hon. Friend.; Mike Amesbury | 650 c767 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my right hon. Friend for giving way. Does he agree that this Santa Claus letter of a deal...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c767 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is right, because the deal does not ensure that if there are changes across the EU...; Chris Leslie | 650 c767 (Link to this contribution)
Will my right hon. Friend give way on that bad-deal point?; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c767 (Link to this contribution)
Under this deal, in December 2020 we will be faced with a choice: either pay more and extend the ...; Vicky Ford | 650 c767 (Link to this contribution)
The one item that is in the control of all of us is which way we vote on Tuesday. The right hon. ...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c768 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 650 c768 (Link to this contribution)
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I distinctly heard Donald Tusk say at the weekend that the optio...; John Bercow | 650 c768 (Link to this contribution)
We are extraordinarily grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his elucidation, but that intervention ...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c768 (Link to this contribution)
It really is not credible for the Government to come to this House with this deal, that does dama...; Lord Clarke of Nottingham | 650 c768 (Link to this contribution)
If the right hon. Gentleman is so emphatic that we will not have a no-deal exit if we reject the ...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c768 (Link to this contribution)
Well, if the House rejects this deal, as I hope it will, it is then up to the Government to go ba...; Chris Leslie | 650 c768 (Link to this contribution)
Will my right hon. Friend give way?; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c768 (Link to this contribution)
Oh, all right. Yes, okay.; Chris Leslie | 650 c768 (Link to this contribution)
rose—[Interruption.]; John Bercow | 650 c768 (Link to this contribution)
Order. I want to hear the intervention. There is a lot of noise.; Chris Leslie | 650 c768 (Link to this contribution)
Actually, I wanted to agree with my right hon. Friend that this is a bad deal. Does he not agree ...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c769 (Link to this contribution)
The referendum took place. We fought the election respecting the result of the referendum. We are...; Janet Daby | 650 c769 (Link to this contribution)
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Prime Minister will not take her political declaration f...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c769 (Link to this contribution)
We will know the outcome of that next Tuesday, when the vote takes place in this House, but any a...; Iain Duncan Smith | 650 c769 (Link to this contribution)
Will the right hon. Gentleman clarify his answer to the hon. Member for Nottingham East (Mr Lesli...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 cc769-770 (Link to this contribution)
I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman read the Labour manifesto with great caution and detail. ...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 650 c770 (Link to this contribution)
Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?; Patricia Gibson | 650 c770 (Link to this contribution)
Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c770 (Link to this contribution)
I give way.; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 650 c770 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Patricia Gibson | 650 c770 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; John Bercow | 650 c770 (Link to this contribution)
Order. Members of the same party do not need to bicker as to whom the Leader of the Opposition is...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 650 c770 (Link to this contribution)
The Leader of the Opposition talks about respecting the referendum. Fair enough—that is his point...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c770 (Link to this contribution)
That is not actually relevant to today’s debate. We are talking about the deal that the Governmen...; Chris Bryant | 650 c770 (Link to this contribution)
Is not one of the most extraordinary things about the debate so far that we have not had a single...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 cc770-1 (Link to this contribution)
I was coming to that in my speech, but my hon. Friend is absolutely right: young people need that...; Wayne David | 650 c771 (Link to this contribution)
Does my right hon. Friend agree that this is bad deal, and that one of the reasons for that is th...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 cc771-2 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is so right. This has been a negotiation with the Cabinet, with Conservative MPs a...; Bambos Charalambous | 650 c772 (Link to this contribution)
Does my right hon. Friend agree that this deal does not deliver frictionless trade and that this ...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c772 (Link to this contribution)
It certainly does not deliver frictionless trade, and those working in industry are extremely wor...; Alberto Costa | 650 c772 (Link to this contribution)
The Leader of the Opposition talks about uncertainty, but I put to him just one example of why I ...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 cc772-3 (Link to this contribution)
I imagine that the hon. Gentleman supports the Prime Minister’s deal because he is incredibly loy...; Caroline Lucas | 650 c773 (Link to this contribution)
Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the Prime Minister’s deal seriously undermines environme...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c773 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Lady is absolutely correct. The environmental protections that we have are essential. We...; Mike Hill | 650 c773 (Link to this contribution)
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Government’s obsession with clamping down on state aid i...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c773 (Link to this contribution)
The state aid rules of the European Union are something that this Government have been very happy...; Afzal Khan | 650 c773 (Link to this contribution)
Does my right hon. Friend agree that, while the Prime Minister seems proud to claim that freedom ...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 cc773-4 (Link to this contribution)
I am coming on to that in just one second.
We lack similar clarity about many other areas, ...; Janet Daby | 650 c774 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my right hon. Friend for mentioning immigration. Immigration is a serious concern for our...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c774 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my hon. Friend for her intervention, and as the daughter of a Windrush generation migrant...; 650 c774 (Link to this contribution); Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c774 (Link to this contribution)
I have been very generous in giving way, particularly to Conservative Members.
As I conclud...; John Bercow | 650 c774 (Link to this contribution)
Order. The Leader of the Opposition is not currently giving way; he is developing his point. [Int...; Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c775 (Link to this contribution)
As I said, this is not the deal the country promised and Parliament cannot, and I believe will no...; 650 c775 (Link to this contribution); Jeremy Corbyn | 650 c775 (Link to this contribution)
I have given way a great many times, and I will draw my remarks to a close soon.
The respon...; Boris Johnson | 650 c775 (Link to this contribution)
It is perfectly clear from listening to the leader of the Labour party that he is joining the sha...; Lord Vaizey of Didcot | 650 c775 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Boris Johnson | 650 c775 (Link to this contribution)
There is one. I said “sincerely”. [Interruption.]; Lord Vaizey of Didcot | 650 c775 (Link to this contribution)
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I sincerely believe it. I have no stake in this Government any m...; Boris Johnson | 650 cc775-6 (Link to this contribution)
In which case, I am happy to acknowledge my right hon. Friend’s sincerity. However, I have to say...; Vicky Ford | 650 c776 (Link to this contribution)
The Prime Minister gave us seven reasons why the EU will not be using the backstop. Yesterday, th...; John Bercow | 650 c776 (Link to this contribution)
Order. Resume your seat. I am sorry to have to bark at the hon. Lady, but the intervention is jus...; Boris Johnson | 650 c776 (Link to this contribution)
A very good point none the less, Mr Speaker. It is exactly on the point. As I have been saying, t...; Stephen Gethins | 650 c776 (Link to this contribution)
Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?; Boris Johnson | 650 c776 (Link to this contribution)
If the hon. Gentleman thinks that that is an ideal situation for this country to end up in, then ...; Stephen Gethins | 650 c776 (Link to this contribution)
The right hon. Member talks about an ideal situation. He was a senior member of Vote Leave. He wa...; Boris Johnson | 650 c776 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to the hon. Member, but the fact is that I was not able to continue to support this...; 650 c777 (Link to this contribution); Boris Johnson | 650 c777 (Link to this contribution)
If the House will allow me, I will make some progress.
The EU knows that having that regula...; Daniel Kawczynski | 650 c777 (Link to this contribution)
Will my right hon. Friend give way?; Boris Johnson | 650 c777 (Link to this contribution)
I will give way in just a second.
The worst of it is that we have not even tried properly t...; Alberto Costa | 650 c777 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Boris Johnson | 650 c777 (Link to this contribution)
I will give way to my hon. Friend.; Alberto Costa | 650 c777 (Link to this contribution)
The Prime Minister, at the Dispatch Box today, was generous. She made very clear that for us to u...; Boris Johnson | 650 c777 (Link to this contribution)
As I say, remain and leave have been, to a very large extent, united in their dismay at what I th...; Roger Gale | 650 c777 (Link to this contribution)
Will my right hon. Friend allow me to intervene?; Boris Johnson | 650 c777 (Link to this contribution)
I will give way in a minute to my hon. Friend, who has been chuntering away from a sedentary posi...; 650 c777 (Link to this contribution); Boris Johnson | 650 c778 (Link to this contribution)
I will give way in a second to my hon. Friend the Member for North Thanet (Sir Roger Gale). It is...; Roger Gale | 650 c778 (Link to this contribution)
I am very grateful to my right hon. Friend for giving way. He appears to be one of those who pref...; Boris Johnson | 650 c778 (Link to this contribution)
I was coming to that. [Interruption.]; John Bercow | 650 c778 (Link to this contribution)
Order. Members must not shout across the Chamber at the right hon. Gentleman. It is extremely uns...; Boris Johnson | 650 c778 (Link to this contribution)
I have been told, by your leave, Mr Speaker, that I have an unlimited time to speak, so I will co...; 650 c778 (Link to this contribution); Boris Johnson | 650 c778 (Link to this contribution)
I must make some progress. If we vote for this deal, we are not taking back control. Indeed, I sa...; Simon Hoare | 650 c778 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Boris Johnson | 650 c778 (Link to this contribution)
And I want respectfully to deal with those anxieties, which I am sure my hon. Friend shares.; Simon Hoare | 650 c778 (Link to this contribution)
Given that my right hon. Friend appears to be unwilling to enter into an understanding of what a ...; Boris Johnson | 650 c778 (Link to this contribution)
I have great respect and admiration for my hon. Friend, but I do not philosophically oppose the E...; Carol Monaghan | 650 c779 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Boris Johnson | 650 c779 (Link to this contribution)
They think our nerve will eventually fail, that the Prime Minister will come to the summit next w...; Colin Clark | 650 c779 (Link to this contribution)
Is my right hon. Friend not concerned that, in trying to win 7-0, he might lose 4-3?; Boris Johnson | 650 c779 (Link to this contribution)
No, although I understand exactly my hon. Friend’s analogy. I have heard it said by defenders of ...; Carol Monaghan | 650 c779 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Boris Johnson | 650 c779 (Link to this contribution)
I do not see it that way. If we go on like this, with the backstop as it is, we will be thrashed ...; John Bercow | 650 c779 (Link to this contribution)
Order. There is excessive noise in the Chamber. My understanding, in so far as I can hear—[Interr...; Boris Johnson | 650 c779 (Link to this contribution)
I think the House will agree that I have given way quite a lot so far, and I am very happy to do ...; 650 c779 (Link to this contribution); Boris Johnson | 650 c780 (Link to this contribution)
Just one second. In Brussels, they think we have nothing left in our tank and that we want to do ...; Tom Tugendhat | 650 c780 (Link to this contribution)
When you went to Russia, did Lavrov give Ukraine back?; Boris Johnson | 650 c780 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend, from a sedentary position, compares the European Union to Lavrov and Russia. I th...; Ian Murray | 650 c780 (Link to this contribution)
May I ask the right hon. Gentleman a simple question? Is the deal that is currently on the table ...; Boris Johnson | 650 c780 (Link to this contribution)
I am afraid that that is a finely balanced question. [Interruption.] Much will depend on what hap...; Lord Clarke of Nottingham | 650 c780 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Boris Johnson | 650 c780 (Link to this contribution)
I am going to anticipate the intervention of my right hon. and learned Friend. I bet I know what ...; Lord Clarke of Nottingham | 650 c780 (Link to this contribution)
What we are voting on is the withdrawal agreement, and three points that must be settled before t...; Boris Johnson | 650 c781 (Link to this contribution)
I do not agree with that at all. Obviously we should state what is agreed among all—that there wi...; Carol Monaghan | 650 c781 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for finally giving way. He is presenting an illusion of the EU n...; Boris Johnson | 650 c781 (Link to this contribution)
I am glad to have given way because that is the kind of scaremongering about the consequences of ...; 650 c781 (Link to this contribution); Boris Johnson | 650 c781 (Link to this contribution)
I have given way a great deal.
It will not be good enough to say to our fishermen that we c...; Kevin Hollinrake | 650 c782 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend talks about avoiding a hard border in Northern Ireland. Speaking to the DUP ...; Boris Johnson | 650 c782 (Link to this contribution)
I am glad my hon. Friend has raised that point, because it is very important. Michel Barnier hims...; Anna Soubry | 650 c782 (Link to this contribution)
Can my right hon. Friend tell us how his cunning plan, which will end up with no deal, will secur...; Boris Johnson | 650 cc782-3 (Link to this contribution)
I will not comment on when I heard about just-in-time supply chains, but it was many years ago. T...; Ian Blackford | 650 cc783-4 (Link to this contribution)
It is difficult to be here today. It is in many respects a debate that many of us wish was not ha...; Philippa Whitford | 650 c784 (Link to this contribution)
Most people in this Chamber know that my husband is German, but not all of them know that his mot...; Ian Blackford | 650 c784 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my hon. Friend for that explanation of what we are doing. Colleagues, we must reflect on ...; Daniel Kawczynski | 650 c784 (Link to this contribution)
I am proud to be the first ever Polish-born British Member of Parliament and to celebrate the con...; Ian Blackford | 650 c785 (Link to this contribution)
I respectfully say to the hon. Gentleman that we have to take that argument on. Migration has enr...; Stewart Malcolm McDonald | 650 cc785-6 (Link to this contribution)
I commend the open nature of my right hon. Friend’s speech, in stark contrast to the capricious a...; Ian Blackford | 650 c786 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is correct. We simply should not be charging people to exercise the right they sho...; Tom Brake | 650 c786 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 650 c786 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Ian Blackford | 650 c786 (Link to this contribution)
Let me make some progress.
Although we respect that England and Wales voted to leave the Eu...; Tom Brake | 650 c786 (Link to this contribution)
The right hon. Gentleman touched on this earlier, but does he agree that perhaps the people who a...; Ian Blackford | 650 c787 (Link to this contribution)
I fully agree, and I touched on that earlier. It just shows how this Brexit deal is a complete sh...; Hannah Bardell | 650 c787 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend is making an incredibly powerful speech. On contempt for the Scottish people...; Ian Blackford | 650 c787 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my hon. Friend for that. I will make a prediction to this Parliament that Scotland will b...; 650 c787 (Link to this contribution); Ian Blackford | 650 c787 (Link to this contribution)
I want to make some progress, as I am aware that many others wish to speak.
Throughout the ...; Roger Gale | 650 c788 (Link to this contribution)
The right hon. Gentleman has nailed his saltire to the mast. He has been very clear and we know w...; Ian Blackford | 650 c788 (Link to this contribution)
Well, well, well, Scottish fishing. Scottish fishing was sold down the river in the 1970s because...; 650 c788 (Link to this contribution); Ian Blackford | 650 cc788-9 (Link to this contribution)
I am going to make some progress.
Not content with ignoring the Scottish Government’s compr...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 650 c789 (Link to this contribution)
An example of exactly what my right hon. Friend is talking about came to my ears today. A pilot w...; Ian Blackford | 650 cc789-791 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We must make the point right across Scotland that there is an...; Alex Chalk | 650 c791 (Link to this contribution)
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I am sorry to trouble you with this, but in the course of procee...; John Bercow | 650 c792 (Link to this contribution)
I am very happy to set the record straight for the benefit of the hon. Gentleman. In all my exper...; Lord Brady of Altrincham | 650 c792 (Link to this contribution)
Mr Speaker, there may not be room in the Gloucestershire Echo for the whole of your ruling in res...; Stephen Gethins | 650 c792 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Stewart Malcolm McDonald | 650 c792 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 650 c792 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Lord Brady of Altrincham | 650 c792 (Link to this contribution)
Blimey—what a choice. I give way to the hon. Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Angus Brendan MacNe...; Angus Brendan MacNeil | 650 c793 (Link to this contribution)
I hope that the hon. Gentleman will reflect for just a tiny moment on the fact that Ireland, whic...; Lord Brady of Altrincham | 650 c793 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman will know, I am sure, what is the fastest growing major European economy at th...; Stephen Gethins | 650 c793 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Stewart Malcolm McDonald | 650 c793 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Lord Brady of Altrincham | 650 c793 (Link to this contribution)
I think we have probably heard enough from the Scottish nationalists for all five days of the deb...; Stewart Malcolm McDonald | 650 c793 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Lord Brady of Altrincham | 650 c793 (Link to this contribution)
Oh, go on then.; Stewart Malcolm McDonald | 650 c793 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman says that he hopes that his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will continue...; Lord Brady of Altrincham | 650 cc793-4 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that I am not going to enlighten him on that, although I ...; Baroness Beckett | 650 cc794-7 (Link to this contribution)
Over 20 years ago, as the new President of the Board of Trade, my first overseas visit to a major...; 650 c795 (Link to this contribution); John Bercow | 650 c795 (Link to this contribution)
Order. With immediate effect, an eight-minute limit will now apply.
9.1 pm; Anna Soubry | 650 cc795-8 (Link to this contribution)
It may be that I can shorten my comments, because I want wholeheartedly and thoroughly to adopt t...; Sarah Wollaston | 650 c798 (Link to this contribution)
Does my right hon. Friend agree that this is exemplified in article 107 of the future framework d...; Anna Soubry | 650 c799 (Link to this contribution)
Indeed, it is nothing more than warm words of good intentions. There is no mention of the frictio...; Hilary Benn | 650 cc799-801 (Link to this contribution)
Next Tuesday will be the House’s opportunity to have its say, and I rise to move amendment (c), w...; Anna Soubry | 650 c801 (Link to this contribution)
Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the use of the slogan “No deal is better than a bad deal...; Hilary Benn | 650 c801 (Link to this contribution)
I completely agree with the right hon. Lady. That is a nonsensical argument that the Government h...; Jeremy Lefroy | 650 c801 (Link to this contribution)
Does the right hon. Gentleman also agree that no deal—cutting ourselves off in that way—would hav...; Hilary Benn | 650 cc801-2 (Link to this contribution)
Absolutely. I do not believe that there is a majority in the House for leaving with no deal, and ...; 650 c802 (Link to this contribution); John Bercow | 650 cc802-3 (Link to this contribution)
Order. I am extremely grateful to the right hon. Member for Leeds Central (Hilary Benn). He began...; Roger Gale | 650 cc803-4 (Link to this contribution)
It is always a pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for Leeds Central (Hilary Benn). I do not...; Vincent Cable | 650 cc804-5 (Link to this contribution)
I wish to say a few words on behalf of the Liberal Democrats’ position that we should have a peop...; Norman Lamb | 650 c805 (Link to this contribution)
Does my right hon. Friend share my concern about our participation in the world-leading Horizon 2...; Vincent Cable | 650 cc806-7 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right, and he speaks with the authority of his Select Committe...; Layla Moran | 650 c807 (Link to this contribution)
Does my right hon. Friend share my concern that the Prime Minister’s gambit that this will someho...; Vincent Cable | 650 c807 (Link to this contribution)
That is absolutely right, and none of us should be under any illusion that this issue is going to...; Dominic Grieve | 650 cc807-9 (Link to this contribution)
I am conscious that one should pay tribute to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister for the sel...; Lord Dodds of Duncairn | 650 c809 (Link to this contribution)
This House has, fundamentally, a duty to respect the clear will of the people of the United Kingd...; David Simpson | 650 c809 (Link to this contribution)
I am sure my right hon. Friend will agree that it is ironic that while the Prime Minister is out ...; Lord Dodds of Duncairn | 650 cc809-810 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my hon. Friend for that intervention. There is a point here, in that this deal does not s...; Paul Girvan | 650 c810 (Link to this contribution)
Commitments were given in paragraph 50 of the joint report to both our party and to the House, bu...; Lord Dodds of Duncairn | 650 cc810-2 (Link to this contribution)
Again, I am grateful to my hon. Friend, because I have said this on a number of occasions. I have...; Owen Paterson | 650 c812 (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for Belfast North (Nigel Dodds), and I agreed wi...; Lord Vaizey of Didcot | 650 c812 (Link to this contribution)
What does it mean?; Owen Paterson | 650 cc812-3 (Link to this contribution)
Like me, my right hon. Friend was elected on a particular platform at the general election, becau...; Steve Baker | 650 c813 (Link to this contribution)
There is also an Intrastat border, so companies already have to declare their exports under Intra...; Owen Paterson | 650 c813 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend, having been a Minister in the Department for Exiting the European Union, knows th...; Jim Shannon | 650 c813 (Link to this contribution)
I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on his remarks so far. Has he heard, as I have, various G...; Owen Paterson | 650 cc814-5 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. There is no way out of the backstop. As we heard from the...; Roger Godsiff | 650 cc815-7 (Link to this contribution)
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to speak in this momentous debate, which will determin...; Maria Miller | 650 c817 (Link to this contribution)
If the contents of this withdrawal agreement had been secured by the then Prime Minister, David C...; Jonathan Lord | 650 c817 (Link to this contribution)
I think this is still there on the official Vote Leave website, but it mentioned being out of the...; Maria Miller | 650 cc817-9 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend has every right to say that. I am saying to him: should we not be looking for a wa...; Clive Efford | 650 cc819-821 (Link to this contribution)
I voted remain in 2016 and I did not hide my disappointment at the outcome of the referendum. How...; Daniel Kawczynski | 650 cc821-2 (Link to this contribution)
Mercifully, there are no more UK Independence party Members of Parliament in this Chamber, but we...; Owen Paterson | 650 c822 (Link to this contribution)
Will my hon. Friend confirm, as he knows public opinion in Poland well, that, although we have th...; Daniel Kawczynski | 650 cc822-3 (Link to this contribution)
Absolutely. I could not agree more with my Shropshire neighbour. Of course, we are relatively saf...; Douglas Chapman | 650 cc823-5 (Link to this contribution)
Many people throughout the United Kingdom are very excited about Brexit. They know about the blue...; Lord Vaizey of Didcot | 650 cc824-6 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful for the chance to take part in this important debate. It is a common theme at the m...; Daniel Kawczynski | 650 c826 (Link to this contribution)
Will my right hon. Friend give way?; Lord Vaizey of Didcot | 650 c826 (Link to this contribution)
I give way to the tallest Pole in the Chamber.; Daniel Kawczynski | 650 c826 (Link to this contribution)
Can my right hon. Friend tell me, in hindsight, what were the biggest mistakes made by his close ...; Lord Vaizey of Didcot | 650 cc826-7 (Link to this contribution)
I have only got six minutes, but his biggest mistake was not to win the referendum, which I wishe...; Jonathan Lord | 650 c827 (Link to this contribution)
Will my right hon. Friend reflect on the fact that had the Prime Minister put a Brexiteer—as he c...; Lord Vaizey of Didcot | 650 cc827-8 (Link to this contribution)
I do not think the Brexiteers would have done that. Too many Brexiteers fantasised about what Bre...; Lilian Greenwood | 650 cc828-830 (Link to this contribution)
Twenty-two months ago, I sat in this Chamber listening to arguments from both sides of the House ...; Derek Thomas | 650 cc830-1 (Link to this contribution)
I appreciate the opportunity to speak at the beginning of this important five-day debate.
M...; Chi Onwurah | 650 cc831-3 (Link to this contribution)
This is often described as the most important decision this House has taken since the second worl...; Ben Bradley | 650 cc832-4 (Link to this contribution)
It is unfortunate that I rise to speak against the approval of this withdrawal agreement, which d...; Lilian Greenwood | 650 c834 (Link to this contribution)
I am listening with interest to one of my Nottinghamshire neighbours. When the hon. Gentleman’s c...; Ben Bradley | 650 c834 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the hon. Lady for her intervention. People did not see it in those terms. Part of the fun...; Owen Paterson | 650 c835 (Link to this contribution)
Thinking about the previous intervention, does my hon. Friend agree that his constituents and min...; Ben Bradley | 650 cc835-6 (Link to this contribution)
I totally agree. The more obscene these forecasts become, the less they are believed. My favourit...; Caroline Lucas | 650 cc836-8 (Link to this contribution)
This debate goes to the very essence of what we want to be as a country—confident, compassionate ...; Baroness Maclean of Redditch | 650 cc838-840 (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Caroline Lucas). I do not agre...; David Lammy | 650 cc840-2 (Link to this contribution)
The European Union was once just a remarkable dream—a hope that our countries which fought and mu...; Martin Docherty-Hughes | 650 cc842-4 (Link to this contribution)
I congratulate the right hon. Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy) on his speech.
When it comes ...; Paul Girvan | 650 cc844-5 (Link to this contribution)
It is a privilege to take part in this debate. I must say that it might not have happened had the...; 650 c845 (Link to this contribution); John Bercow | 650 c845 (Link to this contribution)
Order. It would be desirable now for contributions to be reduced to seven minutes.
12.5 am<...; Mary Creagh | 650 cc845-7 (Link to this contribution)
As we pass the witching hour, we are all still present and correct. I have never spoken in the Ch...; Baroness Coffey | 650 c847 (Link to this contribution)
The HSE is already very experienced. It is the competent authority on behalf of the European Chem...; Mary Creagh | 650 c847 (Link to this contribution)
Perhaps the Minister should take the time to meet the chemicals industry and listen to its concer...; Baroness Coffey | 650 c847 (Link to this contribution)
indicated dissent.; Mary Creagh | 650 cc847-8 (Link to this contribution)
The Minister shakes her head: she is wrong; read the Hansard. These regulations are brought to li...; Catherine McKinnell | 650 cc848-9 (Link to this contribution)
The importance of this debate and the votes that might follow cannot be overestimated. They are s...; Tommy Sheppard | 650 cc849-851 (Link to this contribution)
The people of Scotland did not vote for Brexit. In 2016, 62% of them rejected the proposal, and t...; Fiona Onasanya | 650 cc851-2 (Link to this contribution)
At this time of year, we all recall the age-old saying that it is better to give than to receive....; Philippa Whitford | 650 c852 (Link to this contribution)
What we are really discussing here is a blind Brexit, because what we have is a withdrawal agreem...; Hilary Benn | 650 c853 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Philippa Whitford | 650 cc853-4 (Link to this contribution)
Sorry, I thought the right hon. Gentleman was trying to intervene. He is confusing me. It is a bi...; Patrick Grady | 650 c854 (Link to this contribution)
Of course we are already starting to lose these things. Are the academic institutions and the hea...; Philippa Whitford | 650 c854 (Link to this contribution)
We already know that there has been a 90% drop in the number of European nurses coming here, and ...; Paul Blomfield | 650 cc854-6 (Link to this contribution)
May I begin, Mr Speaker, by congratulating you on your stamina staying in the Chair for more than...; Steve Barclay | 650 cc855-860 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the hon. Member for Sheffield Central (Paul Blomfield) for his kind welcome and join him ...; Martin Docherty-Hughes | 650 c859 (Link to this contribution)
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. You often remind me that this is a place of convention and that ...; John Bercow | 650 c859 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his point of order. I am inclined to err on the side of t...; Philippa Whitford | 650 c859 (Link to this contribution)
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I am sorry; I do not often raise points of order, but the Secret...; John Bercow | 650 c861 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Lady has put the point very forcefully on the record. If the Secretary of State feels, a...
Subjects: Conditions of employment Contributions Cooperation British nationals abroad Belfast Agreement Borders Immigration Liability Environment protection Gibraltar Economic situation EU budget EU nationals Free movement of people National security Northern Ireland Parliamentary scrutiny Negotiations Scotland Sovereignty Republic of Ireland Trade agreements UK trade with EU Customs unions Brexit UK relations with EU Northern Ireland Protocol
Link: View this Parliamentary proceeding on hansard.parliament.uk

European Union (Withdrawal) Act

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