Opposition day on Tuesday, 13 May 2025, in the House of Commons, led by Alex Burghart. The answering members were Stephen Doughty, Nick Thomas-Symonds and Andrew Griffith.

UK-EU Summit

Seventh opposition day debate (half day). Motion that this House recognises that the Conservative Party stands by the result of the 2016 referendum to leave the European Union (EU); calls on the Government to stand by that decision at the summit with the EU on 19 May 2025, to put the national interest first and not to row back on Brexit, for example by re-introducing free movement through a EU youth mobility scheme, accepting compulsory asylum transfers, creating dynamic alignment between the UK and the EU, by submitting the UK to further oversight from the European Court of Justice or by joining the EU’s carbon tax scheme which will lead to higher energy bills; further calls on the Government to stand by the will of the British people by ensuring that no new money is paid to the EU, that there is no reduction in UK fishing rights, that NATO remains the foundation of European security and that the UK can continue to undertake strategic and defence agreements with non-EU partners; and also calls on the Government to put the negotiated outcome to a vote in the House of Commons. Negatived on division (104 to 402). Amendment agreed to on division (321 to 102). Main question, as amended, agreed to. Resolved that this House notes the overwhelming mandate on which the Government was elected, which included resetting the United Kingdom's relationship with the European Union to deepen ties with its European friends, neighbours and allies; welcomes the Government's commitment only to agree a deal that is in the UK's national interest and is in line with the manifesto on which the Government was elected; supports the Government's commitment to agree a new and ambitious security agreement between the UK and the EU to help tackle common threats, whilst noting that NATO is the cornerstone of the UK's defence; recognises the Government's ambition to negotiate a sanitary and phytosanitary and veterinary agreement to address the cost of food and to tackle a range of other issues to reduce barriers to trade; and further supports improvements to the UK-EU relationship that are aimed at making the UK safer, more secure and more prosperous, in line with the Prime Minister's Plan for Change.

Secondary information

Type: Parliamentary proceeding
Reference: 767 cc226-314
Session: 2024-26
Department: Cabinet Office; Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Proceeding contributions: Nusrat Ghani | 767 c226 (Link to this contribution)
I inform the House that Mr Speaker has selected amendment (a) in the name of the Prime Minister.<...; Alex Burghart | 767 cc226-7 (Link to this contribution)
I beg to move,
That this House recognises that the Conservative Party stands by the result ...; Max Wilkinson | 767 c227 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Member give way?; Alex Burghart | 767 c227 (Link to this contribution)
No.
In 2015, UK international trade stood at just over £1 trillion a year, but by 2023, it ...; Pete Wishart | 767 c227 (Link to this contribution)
I wish I could say that I was enjoying the hon. Gentleman’s speech, but that would be stretching ...; Alex Burghart | 767 c227 (Link to this contribution)
I always have respect and time for the hon. Gentleman’s wisdom, but I feel I must correct him. Th...; Phil Brickell | 767 c228 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Member talks about the official Opposition’s motion being precise, but that is factually...; Alex Burghart | 767 c228 (Link to this contribution)
It is freedom of movement for young people, is it not? What we are asking for today is for the La...; Stella Creasy | 767 c228 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman has referred to “Quantum Leap”. The point about Sam Beckett is that he kept le...; Alex Burghart | 767 c229 (Link to this contribution)
I am glad to be the one to break it to the hon. Lady that we already co-operate with Europe on de...; Kevin Bonavia | 767 c229 (Link to this contribution)
British firms are calling for co-operation with our European allies so that there is investment i...; Alex Burghart | 767 c229 (Link to this contribution)
I would say that if the terms of the deal are that the UK must pay to have access to that fund, w...; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c229 (Link to this contribution)
Absolute nonsense.; Alex Burghart | 767 c229 (Link to this contribution)
From a sedentary position, the Paymaster General says that that is absolute nonsense. I am please...; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 c229 (Link to this contribution)
One thing puzzles me slightly about the position taken by the Government, which is a bit like tha...; Alex Burghart | 767 c229 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend has a great deal of experience of these matters, and he has made a series of...; Alex Ballinger | 767 c230 (Link to this contribution)
Given that the last Government reduced our Army to a size not seen since the Napoleonic era, we s...; Alex Burghart | 767 c230 (Link to this contribution)
When I first arrived in the House, the leader of the hon. Gentleman’s party was advocating leavin...; Bernard Jenkin | 767 c230 (Link to this contribution)
Would my hon. Friend care to disabuse Labour Members who seem to be under the impression that wha...; Alex Burghart | 767 c230 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend’s experience in these matters speaks volumes. The truth is that we must be absolut...; Andrew Murrison | 767 c230 (Link to this contribution)
Does my hon. Friend share my hope that in next week’s negotiations the Government will make it ab...; Alex Burghart | 767 cc230-1 (Link to this contribution)
I fully agree with my hon. Friend. The fact is that the UK has made a disproportionate, but neces...; Jim Allister | 767 c231 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Member is right to say that there must be no further surrender to EU law, but, in the sa...; Alex Burghart | 767 c231 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman has made a very good point. It is one that he has made often in the House, and...; Desmond Swayne | 767 c231 (Link to this contribution)
It is important to remember the history here. There was no common fisheries policy until the pros...; Alex Burghart | 767 c231 (Link to this contribution)
Ain’t that the truth! Here is an opportunity for the Government to give guarantees and securities...; David Pinto-Duschinsky | 767 c231 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Member is talking about fishing rights. Under his Government, the UK catch suddenly drop...; Alex Burghart | 767 c231 (Link to this contribution)
We are the party that took fishermen out of the common fisheries policy, which is something that ...; Max Wilkinson | 767 c231 (Link to this contribution)
I wonder whether the shadow Minister has quantum leapt into a body in which Brexit has been a hug...; Alex Burghart | 767 c232 (Link to this contribution)
If the hon. Gentleman had heard my opening remarks, he would have heard that in 2015, the volume ...; Gareth Snell | 767 c232 (Link to this contribution)
Sadly, high energy prices are a result of the policy of the hon. Gentleman’s Government, who had ...; Alex Burghart | 767 cc232-3 (Link to this contribution)
Well, it will be irrelevant if all the businesses shut down because of high energy prices. The ho...; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c233 (Link to this contribution)
I beg to move an amendment, to leave out from “House” to end and insert:
“notes the overwhe...; Bernard Jenkin | 767 c234 (Link to this contribution)
May I point out that the Conservative motion says that the Conservatives stand by the result of t...; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c234 (Link to this contribution)
I absolutely respect the referendum result. If the hon. Gentleman bothered to read our manifesto,...; Mark Francois | 767 c234 (Link to this contribution)
The Minister has referred to the Labour manifesto several times in a few minutes. Did it say anyt...; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c234 (Link to this contribution)
The objective of negotiating a sanitary and phytosanitary veterinary agreement, so that agricultu...; Pete Wishart | 767 c234 (Link to this contribution)
Right now, the young people of this country are confined to this island, and cannot live, work or...; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 cc234-5 (Link to this contribution)
I would not describe the hon. Gentleman as being confined to any island. I have already spoken ab...; Harriet Cross | 767 c235 (Link to this contribution)
Will the Minister give way?; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c235 (Link to this contribution)
On the point about carping from the Opposition, I will.; Harriet Cross | 767 c235 (Link to this contribution)
The Minister mentioned that he was in Scotland yesterday, which is wonderful. As a Scottish MP, I...; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c235 (Link to this contribution)
I am very proud of the extra £25 billion that we have put into the national health service. Appar...; James Cartlidge | 767 c235 (Link to this contribution)
He has run a business, unlike you.; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c235 (Link to this contribution)
I was self-employed, actually. I would be careful about making remarks without knowing the facts....; Rachel Blake | 767 c236 (Link to this contribution)
The Minister will have heard what the shadow Minister said about the Conservatives’ pride in Brex...; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c236 (Link to this contribution)
Conservative Members sit there defending the status quo, but if they bothered to speak to any bus...; Robin Swann | 767 c236 (Link to this contribution)
The Minister has spoken about UK deals with India and the United States, and next Tuesday there w...; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c236 (Link to this contribution)
I have visited Belfast as a Minister more than once, and I have listened very carefully to busine...; Catherine Fookes | 767 c237 (Link to this contribution)
I am so pleased that the Minister is trying to negotiate a new SPS deal and working to remove the...; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c237 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and businesses up and down the country will benefit from a re...; Helen Maguire | 767 c237 (Link to this contribution)
The Minister is making a good case. Would he agree with me that closer UK-EU defence ties do not ...; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c237 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Lady is absolutely right that that is in the UK’s interests, and this would be the worst...; Carla Denyer | 767 c237 (Link to this contribution)
The Minister raises the important issue of the cost of living. Given the dire economic impacts of...; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c237 (Link to this contribution)
We respect the result of the 2016 referendum. What the hon. Lady is saying on the cost of food is...; Matt Rodda | 767 c238 (Link to this contribution)
I am very grateful to the Minister for giving way; he is making an excellent speech. Like me, I a...; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c238 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. There will be a particular benefit to small and medium-sized ...; Ashley Fox | 767 c238 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Freddie van Mierlo | 767 c238 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; John Hayes | 767 c238 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c238 (Link to this contribution)
I will give way once more: to the right hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Sir John ...; John Hayes | 767 c238 (Link to this contribution)
I am immensely grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for giving way. The last time we exchanged co...; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c238 (Link to this contribution)
First of all, there is absolutely no compromise on the core principles of our defence, which we h...; Calum Miller | 767 c238 (Link to this contribution)
Will the Minister give way?; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c239 (Link to this contribution)
I am going to make some progress.
Meanwhile, a few weeks ago more than 50 energy companies ...; Perran Moon | 767 c239 (Link to this contribution)
Does the Minister agree that at the heart of this debate is that this Government are taking proac...; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c239 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The situation now is a quantum leap of improvement after what...; Ashley Fox | 767 c239 (Link to this contribution)
Will the SPS and energy deals that the Minister has in mind be on the basis of a mutual recogniti...; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c239 (Link to this contribution)
Just to be clear, whether on energy, an SPS agreement or employment rights, this Government are i...; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 c239 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c239 (Link to this contribution)
On the issue of learning and listening, I give way to the right hon. Member.; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 c240 (Link to this contribution)
I just wanted to check on something. We can debate whether a trade deal can be improved—I am sure...; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c240 (Link to this contribution)
I have to say, having been for some years in this House with the right hon. Gentleman, that I nev...; Richard Tice | 767 c240 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c240 (Link to this contribution)
On the subject of revisiting the arguments of 2016, I give way to the hon. Member.; Richard Tice | 767 c240 (Link to this contribution)
I can understand why the right hon. Member did not want to answer the two questions from the Oppo...; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c240 (Link to this contribution)
In the past few weeks, we have absolutely been benefiting from trade deals around the world. Noth...; Stephen Gethins | 767 c240 (Link to this contribution)
Will the Minister give way?; Nick Thomas-Symonds | 767 c240 (Link to this contribution)
I have given way a number of times now.
Trade, security, defence and other areas of our rel...; Nusrat Ghani | 767 c241 (Link to this contribution)
I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.
2.40 pm; James MacCleary | 767 c241 (Link to this contribution)
I thank those on the Conservative Front Bench for bringing this motion, which reveals, if nothing...; Freddie van Mierlo | 767 c241 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving me the opportunity to speak on behalf of one of my con...; James MacCleary | 767 c241 (Link to this contribution)
Absolutely. My hon. Friend’s point speaks to the nature of the deal that was agreed when we left ...; Sarah Dyke | 767 c241 (Link to this contribution)
The previous Conservative Government undermined farmers and our rural economy with a botched trad...; James MacCleary | 767 cc241-2 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is a strong advocate for farmers in her constituency and across the country, and I...; Bernard Jenkin | 767 c242 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman raises an interesting point about shellfish. The environmental and hygiene sta...; James MacCleary | 767 c242 (Link to this contribution)
I think the hon. Gentleman would acknowledge that the regulations he references are not the only ...; John Hayes | 767 c242 (Link to this contribution)
I assume the hon. Gentleman is not advocating returning to the common fisheries policy, which, wi...; James MacCleary | 767 c242 (Link to this contribution)
Absolutely not. The common fisheries policy did a lot of damage to British fishing, as the common...; Caroline Voaden | 767 c243 (Link to this contribution)
On that point, it is possibly worth noting that the hon. Member for Clacton (Nigel Farage) attend...; James MacCleary | 767 c243 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my hon. Friend for that point.
What we have advocated for on all these areas is a n...; Joe Robertson | 767 c243 (Link to this contribution)
I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s comments about the common fisheries policy. Will he join us on the...; James MacCleary | 767 c243 (Link to this contribution)
I can be strong; I promise the House that I will never join those Benches—I can rule that out def...; Stephen Gethins | 767 c243 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Member makes an excellent case. To his credit, he set out four clear points, which is mo...; James MacCleary | 767 c244 (Link to this contribution)
It is impossible to rule out anything in the future. If the hon. Member had asked me 20 years ago...; Calum Miller | 767 c244 (Link to this contribution)
In my constituency of Bicester and Woodstock, many workers at the Cowley Mini plant tell me that ...; James MacCleary | 767 c244 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention and for sticking up for his local businesses, as he a...; Mark Francois | 767 c245 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Member give way?; James MacCleary | 767 c245 (Link to this contribution)
Not at the moment, no.
By contrast, the much-vaunted trade deal signed with India last week...; Mark Francois | 767 c245 (Link to this contribution)
On that point, will the hon. Gentleman give way?; James MacCleary | 767 c245 (Link to this contribution)
Of course.; Mark Francois | 767 c245 (Link to this contribution)
The whole House will have noted that the hon. Member clearly failed to rule out a second referend...; James MacCleary | 767 c245 (Link to this contribution)
The right hon. Member makes two points. First, he mentioned a second referendum. I find this a fa...; Mark Francois | 767 c245 (Link to this contribution)
Yes!; James MacCleary | 767 cc245-6 (Link to this contribution)
I am pleased that the right hon. Member agrees with himself.
By contrast, my hon. Friend th...; Bernard Jenkin | 767 c246 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Helen Maguire | 767 c246 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; James MacCleary | 767 c246 (Link to this contribution)
I will, if I may, make a little progress, because I am conscious of the amount of time that I am ...; Bernard Jenkin | 767 c246 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman told us that he has a constituent who finds it easier to trade with South Kore...; James MacCleary | 767 c246 (Link to this contribution)
Just to be clear, I was talking about one of the constituents of my hon. Friend the Member for Ho...; Helen Maguire | 767 c246 (Link to this contribution)
On the issue of red tape, Epsom and Ewell constituents are facing preventable delays on essential...; James MacCleary | 767 cc246-7 (Link to this contribution)
That is a really important point. We have seen shortages of key medications—my hon. Friend mentio...; Ben Coleman | 767 c247 (Link to this contribution)
Many people may still be finding things a little bit gloomy and challenging as a result of the me...; Julia Lopez | 767 c247 (Link to this contribution)
What is the hon. Member’s analysis of why growth projections have been halved since Labour came i...; Ben Coleman | 767 cc247-8 (Link to this contribution)
I find it very hard to take anything that the Conservatives say with any degree of seriousness. W...; Marsha De Cordova | 767 c248 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is making an excellent speech. Constituents and small and medium-sized businesses ...; Ben Coleman | 767 c248 (Link to this contribution)
I am most grateful to my hon. Friend for stressing that point. She is absolutely right; we have a...; Kieran Mullan | 767 c248 (Link to this contribution)
Sarcasm!; Ben Coleman | 767 c248 (Link to this contribution)
Oh, it was sarcasm.
As I was saying, I am very pleased, as many are, with the Government fo...; John Hayes | 767 c248 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman will know that thousands of young people—perhaps not in Chelsea but in most of...; Ben Coleman | 767 c249 (Link to this contribution)
I can tell the right hon. Gentleman what people in Chelsea and Fulham really want. They do not wa...; Stephen Gethins | 767 c249 (Link to this contribution)
On that point, because rhetoric is important, does the hon. Member agree with Lord Dubs, who said...; Ben Coleman | 767 c249 (Link to this contribution)
I have to say, when you ask about Lord Dubs—; Nusrat Ghani | 767 c249 (Link to this contribution)
Order. The hon. Member said “you”, but I did not ask the question.; Ben Coleman | 767 cc249-250 (Link to this contribution)
Apologies, Madam Deputy Speaker. The hon. Member touches a soft spot when he mentions Lord Dubs, ...; Max Wilkinson | 767 c250 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Member has criticised the Opposition for the motion but, to give them their due, at leas...; Ben Coleman | 767 c250 (Link to this contribution)
I agree with the hon. Member. If the Reform party’s entire shtick for getting elected is being an...; Bernard Jenkin | 767 cc250-1 (Link to this contribution)
I am delighted to follow the hon. Member for Chelsea and Fulham (Ben Coleman) and his flowery opt...; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 c251 (Link to this contribution)
Of course, that argument was used in reverse on those of us who had had concerns about Europe for...; Bernard Jenkin | 767 c251 (Link to this contribution)
I agree with my right hon. Friend. The important point is that we do not have a written constitut...; John Hayes | 767 c251 (Link to this contribution)
Since we are straying into political ideas and philosophy, is not the point that the democratic l...; Bernard Jenkin | 767 c251 (Link to this contribution)
I agree with my right hon. Friend, and that is why it was an extremely ominous portent that the M...; Mark Francois | 767 c251 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Bernard Jenkin | 767 c251 (Link to this contribution)
I will give way to my right hon. Friend, but I have another point that I wish to make.; Mark Francois | 767 c252 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend will well remember that during the referendum a booklet was circulated to every ho...; Bernard Jenkin | 767 c252 (Link to this contribution)
I agree. But there is another dangerous game being played by another political party: the Liberal...; Caroline Voaden | 767 c252 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Member talks about people losing their trust in politics. Does he agree that the promise...; Bernard Jenkin | 767 cc252-3 (Link to this contribution)
I am happy to point out that after the referendum and since we left the European Union, we are sp...; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 c253 (Link to this contribution)
Will my hon. Friend give way?; Bernard Jenkin | 767 c253 (Link to this contribution)
I ask that he wait just a minute.
What signal is it sending to Donald Trump by suggesting t...; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 c254 (Link to this contribution)
I am pleased that my hon. Friend raises that point, which I want to elaborate further. The real p...; Bernard Jenkin | 767 c254 (Link to this contribution)
Yes. That promise of creating an EU defence capability has been on the table since the St Malo de...; John Hayes | 767 c254 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend makes a profound argument. He highlights the EU, which sees itself as a supranatio...; Bernard Jenkin | 767 cc254-5 (Link to this contribution)
Sadly, European Union defence has always promised far more than it delivers. It was meant to galv...; Luke Taylor | 767 c255 (Link to this contribution)
indicated dissent.; Bernard Jenkin | 767 c255 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman shakes his head. What does he know about it? I would be interested in him chal...; Luke Taylor | 767 c255 (Link to this contribution)
Does the hon. Gentleman not see the fragility of a European defence that is dependent on key item...; Caroline Nokes | 767 c255 (Link to this contribution)
Order. While I am in the Chair, interventions will be shorter than that.; Bernard Jenkin | 767 c255 (Link to this contribution)
I am glad that the hon. Gentleman has made that point, but the best thing for all European nation...; Jim Allister | 767 c255 (Link to this contribution)
Is not the hon. Member’s point put beyond all doubt by the wording of article 42 of the treaty of...; Bernard Jenkin | 767 cc255-7 (Link to this contribution)
Yes, and when we look at the European Defence Agency and all the mechanisms that have been create...; Tom Hayes | 767 cc257-8 (Link to this contribution)
I thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to speak, and I commend the hon. Member fo...; John Hayes | 767 c258 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Tom Hayes | 767 c258 (Link to this contribution)
I will come to you shortly.
We must recognise the importance of urgency. That is why I am g...; Kieran Mullan | 767 c258 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Gentleman give way on that point?; Tom Hayes | 767 c258 (Link to this contribution)
I will come to you.
That deal will put money in people’s pockets, grow our economy and crea...; 767 c258 (Link to this contribution); Tom Hayes | 767 c258 (Link to this contribution)
I think Sir John wanted to intervene.; Caroline Nokes | 767 c258 (Link to this contribution)
Order. The hon. Member has said “you” twice, and now says “Sir John”. It is a very long-establish...; John Hayes | 767 c259 (Link to this contribution)
I am extremely grateful to my namesake for giving way. He is making an interesting speech. He is ...; Tom Hayes | 767 c259 (Link to this contribution)
I agree with the right hon. Member. With the UK a sovereign, independent trading nation, we in th...; Luke Taylor | 767 c259 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Member talks about us being a sovereign nation and being able to choose our trade deals....; Tom Hayes | 767 cc259-260 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the hon. Member for listening to some of what I said. I said that we in this place have t...; Danny Chambers | 767 c260 (Link to this contribution)
Does the hon. Member agree that rejoining a customs union would achieve all those aims of reducin...; Tom Hayes | 767 c260 (Link to this contribution)
I do not agree. I am talking about a very different proposal that is meeting the needs of our con...; Bernard Jenkin | 767 c260 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?; Tom Hayes | 767 cc260-1 (Link to this contribution)
After 30 minutes of speaking, the hon. Member has probably said everything he needed to say, and ...; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 cc261-3 (Link to this contribution)
It is good to follow the hon. Member for Bournemouth East (Tom Hayes) and to be reminded of how o...; David Chadwick | 767 c263 (Link to this contribution)
Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 c263 (Link to this contribution)
I want to make a couple of points on this issue before I give way.
We know, and everybody e...; David Chadwick | 767 c263 (Link to this contribution)
Welsh food and drink exports have fallen by 18% since 2018. Does that not evidence the damage tha...; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 cc263-4 (Link to this contribution)
If damage has been done to exporting to the European Union, as I said earlier, that is about the ...; Stephen Doughty | 767 c264 (Link to this contribution)
indicated dissent.; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 c264 (Link to this contribution)
He is not—what a pity.; Tom Hayes | 767 c264 (Link to this contribution)
Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 c264 (Link to this contribution)
With respect to the hon. Gentleman, he has a little while to go before he stands at the Dispatch ...; Mark Francois | 767 c264 (Link to this contribution)
Less than us.; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 c265 (Link to this contribution)
Way less than us, and less than most of the others—it is at the bottom of the scale. I simply say...; Jake Richards | 767 cc265-6 (Link to this contribution)
Unlike many Opposition Members, my constituents have little appetite for a relitigation of the Br...; John Hayes | 767 c266 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his tribute to the Conservative party; it has indeed been...; Jake Richards | 767 c267 (Link to this contribution)
I reject the right hon. Gentleman’s characterisation of the policy. I will come on to that specif...; 767 c267 (Link to this contribution); Caroline Nokes | 767 c267 (Link to this contribution)
Order. I do not intend to introduce a time limit, but Members will be aware that there are in the...; Rachel Gilmour | 767 cc267-8 (Link to this contribution)
Last week, this House recognised the 80th anniversary of the allied victory in Europe, so I find ...; Kieran Mullan | 767 c268 (Link to this contribution)
As was put to the Lib Dem spokesperson, the hon. Member for Lewes (James MacCleary), at the start...; Rachel Gilmour | 767 cc268-9 (Link to this contribution)
I simply do not accept what the hon. Member says. Big corporations may be able to adapt, shift op...; Andrew Lewin | 767 c269 (Link to this contribution)
As this is a debate in the name of His Majesty’s Opposition, it is only right that I share some p...; Danny Kruger | 767 c269 (Link to this contribution)
It is not the first time that the 4% figure has been referenced. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that...; Andrew Lewin | 767 cc269-270 (Link to this contribution)
It is curious, is it not? I have seen Conservative Front Benchers talking up the OBR when it is c...; Joy Morrissey | 767 c270 (Link to this contribution)
It is wonderful to hear from the acclaimed globalists from both the Liberal Democrat Benches and ...; Ben Coleman | 767 c270 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Lady give way?; Joy Morrissey | 767 cc270-1 (Link to this contribution)
In a moment—I want to make some progress.
While none of that has been made clear, we have h...; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 c271 (Link to this contribution)
On national insurance!; Joy Morrissey | 767 c271 (Link to this contribution)
And on national insurance. Forgive me for needing reassurance from the Dispatch Box that the Mini...; John Hayes | 767 c271 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend’s scepticism is well founded, because many on the Government Benches—I do not say ...; Joy Morrissey | 767 c271 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend makes an excellent point. We need to protect our Brexit freedoms and make su...; Ben Coleman | 767 c271 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Lady give way?; Joy Morrissey | 767 c271 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman had a long time to speak, but I will give way once.; Ben Coleman | 767 c272 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the hon. Lady for giving way. I took a third of the time that her colleague, the hon. Mem...; Joy Morrissey | 767 c272 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman should allow us to fulfil the deal to which we are committed. We have put in p...; Gareth Snell | 767 c272 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Member give way?; Joy Morrissey | 767 c272 (Link to this contribution)
No, I will not.
NATO gives us an alignment on military matters that needs to be protected a...; 767 c272 (Link to this contribution); Joy Morrissey | 767 c272 (Link to this contribution)
I will finish and allow others to speak. I want to hear from colleagues from across the House, be...; Catherine Fookes | 767 c273 (Link to this contribution)
I am delighted to contribute to the debate. I was really pleased to hear the Minister say from th...; Ben Coleman | 767 c273 (Link to this contribution)
On the subject of lamb, will my hon. Friend reflect on the fact—I asked this of the hon. Member f...; Catherine Fookes | 767 cc273-4 (Link to this contribution)
Absolutely, I remember that well.
The reduction in exports is mainly due to the increase in...; Danny Kruger | 767 cc274-6 (Link to this contribution)
I will start with a few words about the context of the debate. Clearly, the accusation—as though ...; Caroline Nokes | 767 c276 (Link to this contribution)
Order. The hon. Member might reflect on the fact that the amendment to which he refers was not ev...; Danny Kruger | 767 c276 (Link to this contribution)
I will therefore end just by saying that the amendment tabled by Reform, which I appreciate was n...; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 c276 (Link to this contribution)
Reform Members are not here, so I will answer that point. They are not on the same page as us bec...; Caroline Nokes | 767 c276 (Link to this contribution)
Order. The right hon. Gentleman is a very experienced parliamentarian and knows that he should be...; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 c276 (Link to this contribution)
Apologies, Madam Deputy Speaker—that was a lapse on my part.; Danny Kruger | 767 c276 (Link to this contribution)
All sorts of things go wrong when we mention Reform, so we had best leave that topic.
I pay...; Ben Coleman | 767 c276 (Link to this contribution)
I am trying to understand if, at some point, we will hear anything from the Conservative party ab...; Danny Kruger | 767 c277 (Link to this contribution)
There are two things. First, we could do better on Northern Ireland, but let us leave that whole ...; Stella Creasy | 767 c277 (Link to this contribution)
May I start with a warning to my colleagues elected in 2024? Many of us who were here between 201...; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 c277 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Lady give way?; Stella Creasy | 767 c277 (Link to this contribution)
Well, of course I have to give way to my constituency neighbour.; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 c277 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to my neighbour for giving way. If she wants to deliberately not go down that rabbi...; Stella Creasy | 767 c277 (Link to this contribution)
And lo, Bugs Bunny did appear. We have also heard from the man I started arguing with 33 years ag...; Bernard Jenkin | 767 c277 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Lady give way?; Stella Creasy | 767 c277 (Link to this contribution)
I do not want to try your patience, Madam Deputy Speaker. You have had to sit through many a leng...; Bernard Jenkin | 767 c277 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Stella Creasy | 767 c277 (Link to this contribution)
Oh, go on—I will give way. The hon. Gentleman was like this when I was 15, too.; Bernard Jenkin | 767 c277 (Link to this contribution)
Who is it that is trying to take us back to the past? It is the Government. Brexit is giving this...; Stella Creasy | 767 cc277-281 (Link to this contribution)
I hate to warn the hon. Gentleman, but I have a horrible feeling that if he were to compare the s...; Danny Kruger | 767 c281 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Stella Creasy | 767 c281 (Link to this contribution)
I was going to sit down, I promise, but I cannot resist. I give way.; Danny Kruger | 767 c281 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Lady mentioned Churchill, so I cannot let her sit down yet. She talked about conflict wi...; Stella Creasy | 767 c281 (Link to this contribution)
I think Winston Churchill would turn in his grave if he saw what the Conservative party and its l...; Stephen Gethins | 767 c282 (Link to this contribution)
It is good to contribute to the debate. On the matter of Churchill, I am of course one of his suc...; John Hayes | 767 c282 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?; Stephen Gethins | 767 c282 (Link to this contribution)
Before I move on to the Treasury and some of the right hon. Gentleman’s points, I will give way t...; John Hayes | 767 c282 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman was pointing to an empty Bench when he talked about Reform, by the way, becaus...; Stephen Gethins | 767 cc283-4 (Link to this contribution)
Seventeen billion is less than half the amount lost from the public finances. Those are not my fi...; Mark Francois | 767 c284 (Link to this contribution)
I think it is fair to say that in the years I have been here generally most people have known wha...; Stephen Gethins | 767 c284 (Link to this contribution)
I will concede the point. I know what the right hon. Gentleman believes in. I was not surprised t...; Joe Morris | 767 cc284-5 (Link to this contribution)
I will keep my remarks fairly brief, and we have been treated to a lot of good, well-informed spe...; Mark Francois | 767 cc285-6 (Link to this contribution)
Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for calling me to contribute to this important debate on the for...; Catherine Fookes | 767 c287 (Link to this contribution)
Will the right hon. Member give way?; Mark Francois | 767 c287 (Link to this contribution)
In a moment.
While we were in the customs union, it was possible to negotiate those agreeme...; Catherine Fookes | 767 c287 (Link to this contribution)
Will the right hon. Member give way?; Mark Francois | 767 c287 (Link to this contribution)
If the hon. Lady will let me finish this point, I promise I will do so, but I want to enjoy this ...; Catherine Fookes | 767 c287 (Link to this contribution)
If those trade deals were such sunlit uplands and such wonderful deals, can the right hon. Member...; Mark Francois | 767 c287 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Lady pre-empts me. If she will give me a moment, I will get to fishing very shortly.
...; Ben Coleman | 767 c287 (Link to this contribution)
Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?; Mark Francois | 767 c288 (Link to this contribution)
In a second—the bourgeoisie will have to wait. While our sovereign rights are enshrined in both t...; Joe Morris | 767 c288 (Link to this contribution)
Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?; Mark Francois | 767 c288 (Link to this contribution)
In a moment.
To have left the EU but submit to becoming a passive rule taker would be entir...; Ben Coleman | 767 c288 (Link to this contribution)
Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?; Mark Francois | 767 cc288-9 (Link to this contribution)
No.
When Labour talked about a “reset” in its general election manifesto, there was absolut...; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 c289 (Link to this contribution)
I just want to draw something out. Dynamic alignment is not a small thing; it is huge, because it...; Mark Francois | 767 c289 (Link to this contribution)
It would be far better to do this via a process of mutual enforcement, of which my right hon. Fri...; Ben Coleman | 767 c289 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?; Mark Francois | 767 c289 (Link to this contribution)
In a moment.
This is a yes or no question. Perhaps the Minister, at that time—because he wo...; Ben Coleman | 767 c289 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his nomenclature, and I am most grateful to my Jacobin frien...; Mark Francois | 767 c289 (Link to this contribution)
People have made market choices, but under the common fisheries policy, we had the absurdity of s...; Bernard Jenkin | 767 c290 (Link to this contribution)
This is something that I have looked at quite closely. The reason for the collapse is that the Un...; Mark Francois | 767 c290 (Link to this contribution)
I defer to my hon. Friend, who is clearly a subject matter expert.
I will conclude, because...; Richard Baker | 767 cc290-1 (Link to this contribution)
This has been an interesting debate, but, to reflect on the unhappy nostalgia of my hon. Friend t...; Stephen Gethins | 767 c291 (Link to this contribution)
I put on record my thanks to Irene Oldfather. On a very hard issue—and we have seen today that it...; Richard Baker | 767 cc291-2 (Link to this contribution)
I could not agree more. On the issue of learning, it is so important, good and welcome to hear th...; James Naish | 767 c292 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend has covered a range of groups—he mentioned farmers, businesses, young people and t...; Richard Baker | 767 c292 (Link to this contribution)
I could not agree more. This will absolutely be in line with previous agreements. In our new rela...; John Hayes | 767 cc292-3 (Link to this contribution)
In human affairs, there is a persistent fascination with novelty. It is curious that people clamo...; Mark Francois | 767 c293 (Link to this contribution)
It has not ended yet. Sir Bill is a sprightly 83, and he has been texting some of us throughout t...; John Hayes | 767 cc293-4 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right; Sir Bill’s political career has not ended; his parliame...; Ashley Fox | 767 c294 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend is correct. While I was in the European Parliament, opinion poll research wa...; John Hayes | 767 cc295-6 (Link to this contribution)
It is typical of my hon. Friend’s humility and good humour that he should acknowledge that in the...; Ben Coleman | 767 c296 (Link to this contribution)
Will the right hon. Member give way?; John Hayes | 767 c296 (Link to this contribution)
I will happily give way—let us see whether the hon. Member is a self-loathing individual.; Ben Coleman | 767 c296 (Link to this contribution)
I trust that I am not. I hope that the right hon. Gentleman appreciated when I said earlier how e...; John Hayes | 767 c296 (Link to this contribution)
I invite the hon. Gentleman to look at it through this prism: for all intents and purposes, I am ...; 767 c296 (Link to this contribution); Caroline Nokes | 767 c297 (Link to this contribution)
Order. I am now instating an immediate three-minute time limit. I call Luke Charters.
5.58 ...; Luke Charters | 767 c297 (Link to this contribution)
Next Monday is a really important day, as the UK rebuilds our relationship with Europe. This is a...; Chris Vince | 767 c297 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is making an excellent, powerful speech. Does he agree that the summit is not abou...; Luke Charters | 767 c297 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is spot on. That is why the Conservative party is completely irresponsible. Conser...; Ben Coleman | 767 c298 (Link to this contribution)
Before we leave young people, Opposition Members have said that we are not doing enough for our y...; Caroline Nokes | 767 c298 (Link to this contribution)
Order.; Luke Charters | 767 c298 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my hon. Friend for that intervention. A youth mobility scheme could be sensible and pragm...; Kieran Mullan | 767 c298 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Member give way?; Luke Charters | 767 c298 (Link to this contribution)
I will not, because we are on a three-minute limit for speeches. Perhaps the hon. Member does not...; Julia Lopez | 767 c298 (Link to this contribution)
Next week, the EU and the UK will meet in London for a much vaunted reset of our post-Brexit rela...; Caroline Nokes | 767 c299 (Link to this contribution)
Order. May I respectfully suggest to the hon. Lady that she needs to be very careful in the langu...; Julia Lopez | 767 c299 (Link to this contribution)
I was deliberately careful to adhere to the rules of the House, Madam Deputy Speaker, but I hope ...; Caroline Nokes | 767 c299 (Link to this contribution)
Order. I suggest the hon. Lady withdraw her comment, in which she has accused the Prime Minister ...; Julia Lopez | 767 c299 (Link to this contribution)
If that is outside the boundaries of what is acceptable, I will withdraw the comment.
My se...; Mike Martin | 767 c299 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Lady is a great fan of honesty in this Chamber, so I am sure that she will give me an ho...; Julia Lopez | 767 cc299-300 (Link to this contribution)
Brexit allowed us to introduce a points-based system and that is what we did. I will accept that ...; Caroline Voaden | 767 cc300-1 (Link to this contribution)
We are here to look forward to the UK-EU summit next week and not to relive the past; although, l...; Kieran Mullan | 767 cc301-2 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to be able speak in this Opposition day debate ahead of next week’s UK-EU summit. I...; Judith Cummins | 767 c302 (Link to this contribution)
With regret, it may not be possible for all Members to speak in the debate, even with this time l...; Jim Allister | 767 c302 (Link to this contribution)
No one representing Northern Ireland wishes more than I do for a proper reset of the relationship...; Sarah Bool | 767 c303 (Link to this contribution)
In mid-March, in my role as a vice chair of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, I forme...; Joe Robertson | 767 cc303-4 (Link to this contribution)
I could speak about so many aspects of the Brexit renegotiation that the Government are entering ...; Ashley Fox | 767 cc304-5 (Link to this contribution)
I welcome the Government’s stated aim of negotiating a closer trading relationship with the Europ...; James Wild | 767 cc305-6 (Link to this contribution)
There has been an astonishing lack of transparency by the Government ahead of the dud deal that t...; Jack Rankin | 767 cc306-7 (Link to this contribution)
I start by paying a small tribute to the Government because just last week they passed secondary ...; Liz Jarvis | 767 cc307-8 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this debate and to highlight the impact of the...; Llinos Medi | 767 c308 (Link to this contribution)
Diolch, Dirprwy Llefarydd. The people of Wales have been let down by those who promised that Brex...; Judith Cummins | 767 c308 (Link to this contribution)
I call the shadow Minister.
6.38 pm; Andrew Griffith | 767 cc309-310 (Link to this contribution)
We have had a strong debate this afternoon, with many contributions on both sides. I thank so man...; Harriet Cross | 767 c310 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend has referred to the betrayal of our fishermen. I wonder whether the Minister will ...; Andrew Griffith | 767 cc310-1 (Link to this contribution)
I am afraid the Minister is as talkative as a haddock when it comes to clarifying his objectives,...; Stephen Doughty | 767 cc311-2 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to have the chance to respond to this afternoon’s debate. I did not know that the H...; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 c312 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; John Hayes | 767 c312 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Mark Francois | 767 c312 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Stephen Doughty | 767 c313 (Link to this contribution)
They want answers to the questions they have asked. I am going to give them some answers, and the...; Iain Duncan Smith | 767 c313 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman, and as I have said, we have worked together in the past quit...; Stephen Doughty | 767 c313 (Link to this contribution)
I will come on to that in a moment, but we are absolutely clear. I have been clear, and so has th...; 767 c313 (Link to this contribution); Stephen Doughty | 767 c314 (Link to this contribution)
Conservative Ministers ask questions, but they may not want to hear the answers. [Interruption.]<...; Judith Cummins | 767 c314 (Link to this contribution)
Order.; Stephen Doughty | 767 c314 (Link to this contribution)
We are absolutely clear: we are taking serious action to reduce net migration, but we support con...; 767 c314 (Link to this contribution); Stephen Doughty | 767 c314 (Link to this contribution)
No.
In a world of turmoil and uncertainty—; Mark Francois | 767 c314 (Link to this contribution)
Is there a red line on dynamic alignment—yes or no?; Stephen Doughty | 767 c314 (Link to this contribution)
I have answered that question already. [Interruption.]; Judith Cummins | 767 c314 (Link to this contribution)
Order. The Minister will be heard.; Stephen Doughty | 767 c314 (Link to this contribution)
Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I have been absolutely clear: surrender—what nonsense! Instead, ...
Subjects: Defence Costs Business Employment Fisheries EU law Energy India Northern Ireland Standards Sovereignty Trade agreements European Court of Justice Security USA Trade barriers NATO Youth mobility scheme Agricultural products UK trade with EU Brexit UK relations with EU
Link: View this Parliamentary proceeding on hansard.parliament.uk

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