Contributions
2,308 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsI say to the hon. Lady—this applies to many Opposition Members—that I do not doubt her commitment to the business concerned or to trying to protect jobs. Indeed, that is one of…24 Jan 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs I would expect, my right hon. Friend asks a detailed, precise and interesting question. I have looked into this issue, and paragraph 5 of article XXIV allows only interim…24 Jan 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsSelf-evidently, whatever deal we bring forward will need to secure the confidence of the House, and that will entail a vote. The right hon. and learned Gentleman talks about his…24 Jan 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI will come on to that. If we are talking about parallel universes and the 64 remaining days, it is worth clarifying that I genuinely do not know what the Labour position is. An…24 Jan 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsUnderstandably, we have big debates in the House about goods, but 80% of our economy is services, so my hon. Friend is quite right to draw attention to that. The political…24 Jan 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe right hon. Gentleman will recall from his days as deputy Chief Whip that a range of legislation needs to be passed for various scenarios. Significant progress has been made…24 Jan 2019HANSARDCustoms UnionWell, indeed he does, clearly, so he does not see the rich opportunity of an independent trade policy that backs our businesses to go out in the world and succeed, or the…24 Jan 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI will just make some progress, and then I will happily take further interventions. On the backstop, let me address colleagues’ concerns about being trapped, which was raised in a…09 Jan 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI will happily take interventions from two former Ministers, both of whom served with distinction in the Department for Exiting the European Union.09 Jan 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActThe hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that there are concerns about issues such as security. That is the very essence of why we need the deal. It will provide confidence on…09 Jan 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI will just make progress on this section and then I will happily take further interventions. Secondly, the protocol provides for alignment in Northern Ireland with a small…09 Jan 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActBefore Christmas, the Government presented to Parliament a comprehensive deal for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. We continue to believe that this is the best deal to honour the…09 Jan 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActWe have a very good early illustration in this debate of the attitude of Scottish National party Members, because even before I get into my statement setting out what measures…09 Jan 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI think it is fair to say that there is a range of views in this House, and that those views are held sincerely by Members of Parliament. As I just alluded to, those views cover a…09 Jan 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI will make a little more progress, then I will happily take further interventions. The withdrawal agreement addresses many of the key issues that Members, including Opposition…09 Jan 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI recognise the genuine concerns the right hon. Gentleman has about the backstop. I will come on to address some of those concerns, although I readily concede that I do not expect…09 Jan 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActAgain, I will come on to that. As we move from dealing with the winding-down arrangements to the trade negotiation—that will be the second phase of the negotiations, because…09 Jan 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActMy right hon. Friend will know, because he has often spoken in warm and glowing terms about trading on a no-deal WTO basis, that tariffs are just one aspect of our relationships,…09 Jan 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActThe hon. Gentleman has not been able to convince his own Front Benchers. Senior Opposition Front Benchers, such as the shadow Business Secretary, have spoken of the huge damage…09 Jan 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActI absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. He alludes to the 78-day plan being put forward by the Opposition, which the EU has made clear is not credible, their sister parties have…09 Jan 2019