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Proceeding contribution from Denis MacShane (Independent (affiliation)) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 11 January 2011. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee of the Whole House (HC) on European Union Bill.


European Union Bill

I do not disagree with what the hon. Gentleman has been saying, but the fundamental rule of international law in regard to treaties is ““pacta sunt servanda””. Those who sign a treaty must abide by it. If Parliament does not like a treaty, it has a sovereign right to withdraw from it. We can withdraw from the European convention on human rights, which is concerned with deporting people and so forth, and we can do the same in regard to the European Union. That is not a nuclear option; it is a perfectly fair choice that this Parliament could take. I rather wonder whether that is the speech that the hon. Gentleman should be making.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
521 c179 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Common law Constitutional and administrative law Judiciary EU law European communities Referendums Parliamentary scrutiny Sovereignty Treaties Reform UK membership of EU Supreme Court Rule of law
Legislation
European Communities Act 1972
European Union Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk