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) ActYes, in a moment. The closest possible economic relationship with our nearest neighbours outside the single market and the customs union, with our businesses able to trade freely…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActNo, I said I would make further progress. First, I want to remind the House of the core elements of the deal on which these improvements build. The full reciprocal protection of…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI thank the hon. Lady. She has set it out very clearly for the House, and I am sure every Member of this House will have heard what she has said about that.12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. I will come on to address that point a little later in my speech, but it is very clear. We have already had a vote in this House that said no…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActIf Members will bear with me, I will take a further couple of interventions and then try to make some progress, as I am only two pages into my speech.12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActThe hon. Gentleman is absolutely right; that is what Jean-Claude Juncker said in his press conference. It is what he had made clear to me and to Ministers. It is what other…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActYes. My hon. Friend will not be surprised, given what he has heard me say from this Dispatch Box, that I entirely agree with him. I believe it is absolutely imperative that this…12 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActThe right hon. Gentleman makes a very important point. A lot of focus has been put on legal changes, and I will come on to the fact that there are legally binding changes as a…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