Contributions
4,303 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Article 50 ExtensionThe problem with the Prime Minister’s approach is that last week we voted on a motion that said she would seek a short extension if the deal was passed by today—that was in…20 Mar 2019HANSARD Article 50 ExtensionThe immediate concern is that the Prime Minister does not appear to be acting in accordance with her own motion of last week, but the deeper problem, which is what I am most…20 Mar 2019HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the European UnionThat is not what I said. I did not say that we would oppose it. It is obvious that we are supportive of the principle; it is a question only of timing.14 Mar 2019HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the European UnionI rise to support amendment (e) tabled in my name and that of the Leader of the Opposition. The Prime Minister announced two weeks ago that she would hold a second meaningful vote…14 Mar 2019HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the European UnionWe wait to see what further advice the Attorney General gives, if any. I have to say, however, that the suggested nuclear option of crashing the treaty completely—bringing down…14 Mar 2019HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the European UnionI accept that, and it is there in that paragraph. What I am saying is this: it is a nuclear option to crash a whole treaty, including everything in it. That has consequences in…14 Mar 2019HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the European UnionI could not agree more. I suspect that that is why it was left out, in any meaningful sense, from the advice last week. We will wait to see what the Attorney General says if there…14 Mar 2019HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the European UnionThe problem with the argument is that as far as the Government are concerned the mere fact that it was available last time we voted does not appear to inhibit them from saying…14 Mar 2019HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the European UnionWhat I am trying to say is this: with the meaningful vote having been put once and lost heavily, and having been put again and lost heavily, I think the yearning across the House,…14 Mar 2019HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the European UnionNot just at the moment, but I will in a minute. Across the House, precisely what that model is and how we do it is secondary to the fact that we have to find a way to find a…14 Mar 2019HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the European UnionI will give way, because I hope the right hon. Gentleman will join me in giving that £50 to Help for Heroes—but don’t tell my wife I gambled.14 Mar 2019HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the European UnionTaking cheques from the right hon. Gentleman might be a slippery slope. In the spirit of compromise, why don’t we both give £50 for Help for Heroes?14 Mar 2019HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the European UnionI am grateful for that intervention, because it follows up on a theme I was trying to advance yesterday: how we go forward from here depends on the attitude of the Prime Minister…14 Mar 2019HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the European UnionI am grateful to the hon. Lady, because that encapsulates the problem that we have been living with for the last two years. The referendum answered the question, “Would you rather…14 Mar 2019HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the European UnionI am grateful for that intervention. I have said on a number of occasions that the Labour party supports a public vote and I played a very large part in the conference motion, but…14 Mar 2019HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the European UnionGreat rhetoric, no substance. [ Interruption. ] Just to be clear, the amendment that the Labour party has put down today is clear that we seek an extension of article 50 and that…14 Mar 2019HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the European UnionI am grateful for that intervention. I have always tried to speak about this issue in a clear voice and I have spoken for the Labour party on it. As my right hon. Friend will…14 Mar 2019HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the European UnionLet me just restate this. The Labour party is supporting a public vote on any deal from the Prime Minister that gets through—there is a lock on that—but today is about a different…14 Mar 2019HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the European UnionThe short answer is that I do not know whether the advice has been shared, although I remember the Attorney General asserting very strongly from the Dispatch Box that it would be…14 Mar 2019HANSARD UK’s Withdrawal from the European UnionI agree with the right hon. Lady. One of the frustrations is that we are now faced with arguments from the Government that the period of time for an extension must be really short…14 Mar 2019