Contributions
2,308 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe shadow Brexit Secretary is right: there clearly has been anxiety among Labour Members, but I hope that he takes assurance from the explanation I gave that the commitment is…09 Jan 2020HANSARDMarking Exit DayI begin by congratulating my hon. Friend on his election to the seat of Warrington South. I look forward to his advocacy on issues relating to our exit from the European Union. We…09 Jan 2020HANSARDMarking Exit DayMy hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the fact that this is an important day not just for our own citizens but for many elsewhere who recognise the importance of this event…09 Jan 2020HANSARDMarking Exit DayI pay tribute to the work of the right hon. Gentleman during his tenure as Chair of the Exiting the European Union Committee. He knows from his time in Government that machinery…09 Jan 2020HANSARDMarking Exit DayI know that, like me, my parliamentary neighbour always takes pride in seeing our Union Jack flown, and any opportunity to do so is one that he and I would always celebrate. Given…09 Jan 2020HANSARDMarking Exit DayI absolutely agree with the first part of the hon. Gentleman’s question. A big part of why I and many colleagues supported Brexit is that we want to be more outward-looking,…09 Jan 2020HANSARDEU CitizensI am glad that the hon. Lady asks that question, because it lets me say: first, we have a grace period until June 2021 to address that issue; and, secondly, the declaratory scheme…09 Jan 2020HANSARDEU CitizensI urge Members on both sides of the House to support Third Reading of the withdrawal agreement Bill because it safeguards the rights of the 3 million EU citizens here, as it does…09 Jan 2020HANSARDAgricultural SectorMy hon. Friend is right to raise the issue, about which there has been a live discussion at the Oxford farming conference, as he will know. The UK has always been a leading…09 Jan 2020HANSARDAgricultural SectorI am grateful for my right hon. Friend’s kind remarks. He is absolutely right to focus on hill farmers. As he will know, one of the aspects of the Agriculture Bill is the ability…09 Jan 2020HANSARDAgricultural SectorIf farmers did not trust the assurances, I am not sure whether another assurance would suddenly become trustworthy. On the substance of the hon. Lady’s question, I refer her, for…09 Jan 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsIt is not so much a question of whether those discussions need to start; they have started. In our contingency planning for an exit without a withdrawal agreement, there was a lot…09 Jan 2020HANSARDFishing and Marine PolicyI am 100% confident on those issues, because page 46 of the Conservative manifesto, which I know my hon. Friend knows in detail, makes it clear that we will leave the common…09 Jan 2020HANSARDFishing and Marine PolicyI welcome my hon. Friend back to his place as a great champion of the constituency of Lincoln. We continue to have regular conversations with ministerial colleagues on all aspects…09 Jan 2020HANSARDAgricultural SectorMy hon. Friend is right to highlight the importance of the food and drink sector—not least, for example, when we consider the Scottish whisky industry, which is key. From memory,…09 Jan 2020HANSARDTopical QuestionsSince our last departmental questions, we have contested the general election, where Brexit was the defining issue, and been given a renewed mandate by the British people to leave…09 Jan 2020HANSARDMarking Exit DayI am always grateful to the hon. Gentleman for how he champions his constituents and raises thoughtful points. He is quite right to pick up on what I thought was a constructive…09 Jan 2020HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) BillMy right hon. Friend will know that my opposite number often talked of a clock ticking. He will also know that that decision is for the House authorities, but I am sure they will…09 Jan 2020HANSARDMarking Exit DayI welcome this late conversion on the part of the Scottish National party to celebrating our exit and having Big Ben chime. As the hon. Gentleman will know, a decision as to…09 Jan 2020HANSARDMarking Exit DayThe hon. Member is absolutely right, and I hope that colleagues across the House will see that I always try to take a tone that reflects that. I have often talked about the fact…09 Jan 2020