Contributions
2,022 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActAs the hon. Gentleman knows, the devolved Government in Scotland want to ensure that we stay in the European Union. That is not a position that was taken by the British people,…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI am very happy to give my hon. Friend that certainty. As I say, I believe that we should be delivering on the vote of the British people in 2016, but I also believe it is…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActOne of the key elements in relation to what my hon. Friend has said is that this unilateral declaration has not been objected to by the European Union. That is what ensures its…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI will make further progress before I give way again. We are a country where passionately held views do not stop us making compromises to achieve progress. We are a country that…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActThe way out of the situation we are in is to have faith with the British people and to vote for the deal this evening, which gives them what they voted for in the referendum.12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActThere have been alternative approaches that have been proposed to the deal that is on the table. Some were proposed the other week by the Leader of the Opposition, and that was…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI am going to make some progress. I know that, for many Members on this side of the House and also for the DUP, the biggest concern is about a more difficult issue that defies…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActNo, they are not one and the same thing. Also, if we look at the arrangements in the withdrawal agreement, as supported by the new instruments that we have negotiated, it is the…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActObviously, the Attorney General has been involved in the discussions that we have been having with the European Union, but at the end of the day it is up to him to make his legal…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. First, all that that would do is extend the uncertainty. Secondly, it is not a guarantee that any extension would be agreed by the European…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActYes. What has been obvious is a change in willingness from the European Union to be actively working on those alternative arrangements. As my right hon. Friend has heard me say…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActNo, I am going to make some progress. There are three elements to the improved deal on the backstop, and I want to go through all of those. The first is a joint instrument—not a…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActFirst, the hon. Gentleman’s history is a little wrong. Actually, the withdrawal agreement and the political declaration on the future framework were not agreed in Salzburg; they…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActObviously, the withdrawal agreement is an international treaty. This is a joint instrument, which sits alongside that international treaty and which does have the same standing,…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActThe point is that we have to look at what it was that the British people were voting for when they voted in the referendum in 2016. We also have to look at the general election…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI will just make a little more progress before I take any more interventions. I have been quite generous already. I want to say a word about Gibraltar. The documents confirm the…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI will give way in a few moments. I will just make a little more progress. The second element, the statement in relation to the political declaration, sets out a number of…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActWe are happy at any stage to sit down with the Irish Government and talk to them about the arrangements that could be in place in relation to the Northern Ireland border with…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActThe hon. Gentleman is right about the vote. Significantly, the last time the people of Gibraltar were asked whether they wanted to continue their relationship with the United…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI am going to make further progress. Thirdly, alongside the joint instrument on the withdrawal agreement, the United Kingdom Government will make a unilateral declaration relating…12 Mar 2019