In very extreme circumstances, there could be a result of 39% to zero with the zeros winning.

In very extreme circumstances, there could be a result of 39% to zero with the zeros winning.

The hon. Gentleman recently said that the tectonic plates were starting to move. I think that he is right. Senior civil servants have even said in public that the game is over. I have talked about the sands shifting rather than tectonic plates—different metaphor, same thought. The Governments of Europe...

The hon. Gentleman recently said that the tectonic plates were starting to move. I think that he is right. Senior civil servants have even said in public that the game is over. I have talked about the sands shifting rather than tectonic plates—different metaphor, same thought. The Governments of Europe...

I will speak on these amendments only briefly because much has been said already that I need not repeat. I took the trouble to spend some time in the Library going through the Order Paper and amendments, and I wrote against each of them, ““KH against””—those are my initials, so...

I will speak on these amendments only briefly because much has been said already that I need not repeat. I took the trouble to spend some time in the Library going through the Order Paper and amendments, and I wrote against each of them, ““KH against””—those are my initials, so...

I am interested to hear about the particular Members of the House of Lords whom the hon. Gentleman mentioned, but he ought also to mention a number of Conservative former Members of this House who were enthusiasts for, and indeed constructed, the policy for joining the exchange rate mechanism, which...

I am interested to hear about the particular Members of the House of Lords whom the hon. Gentleman mentioned, but he ought also to mention a number of Conservative former Members of this House who were enthusiasts for, and indeed constructed, the policy for joining the exchange rate mechanism, which...

Having read the Lords amendments fairly carefully over an hour or so, I have the impression that they are all essentially about weakening a Bill which was not very strong in the first place. Could we not shorten the debate and vote on them fairly quickly?

Having read the Lords amendments fairly carefully over an hour or so, I have the impression that they are all essentially about weakening a Bill which was not very strong in the first place. Could we not shorten the debate and vote on them fairly quickly?

Even though legislation can in a sense bind our successors, our successors can introduce legislation to annul previous legislation. There is a difference between the automatic disappearance of legislation at an election and an Opposition party coming into government with the commitment to reverse legislation. That is still possible, so...

Even though legislation can in a sense bind our successors, our successors can introduce legislation to annul previous legislation. There is a difference between the automatic disappearance of legislation at an election and an Opposition party coming into government with the commitment to reverse legislation. That is still possible, so...

I agree entirely, and I think that the British people would like the Bill to be rather stronger.

I agree entirely, and I think that the British people would like the Bill to be rather stronger.

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman read last Sunday’s edition of The Independent on Sunday, but it included a suggestion that there might be an Italian connection to the poisoning.

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman read last Sunday’s edition of The Independent on Sunday, but it included a suggestion that there might be an Italian connection to the poisoning.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that one of the defining characteristics of a democratic, independent nation state is a border, which is defensible and under the control of that nation state?

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that one of the defining characteristics of a democratic, independent nation state is a border, which is defensible and under the control of that nation state?

I very strongly support the hon. Gentleman’s emphasis on democracy. In reality, is not one of the reasons why the EU is not democratic the fact that the elites that run it are fearful that their citizens do not support what they are doing and might vote against them?

I very strongly support the hon. Gentleman’s emphasis on democracy. In reality, is not one of the reasons why the EU is not democratic the fact that the elites that run it are fearful that their citizens do not support what they are doing and might vote against them?

I apologise for being unable to be here for some of the early part of the debate. It is a great pleasure to participate in such debates, which always constitute a learning experience for me, and possibly for others, because we always hear something new. However, we inevitably have to...

I apologise for being unable to be here for some of the early part of the debate. It is a great pleasure to participate in such debates, which always constitute a learning experience for me, and possibly for others, because we always hear something new. However, we inevitably have to...

I note the hon. Gentleman’s comment from a sedentary position. Nevertheless, the economy has done well in recent years, and we must give credit to the Chancellor for presiding over that success. His greatest success, however, is that he and the Treasury kept us out of the eurozone—a splendid decision...

I note the hon. Gentleman’s comment from a sedentary position. Nevertheless, the economy has done well in recent years, and we must give credit to the Chancellor for presiding over that success. His greatest success, however, is that he and the Treasury kept us out of the eurozone—a splendid decision...

There are sceptical voices across the Chamber, and some of us are seeking reassurance. There have been occasions on which I have not supported my party in some votes on European matters. One of the reasons why I speak in so many of these debates is that there are many...

There are sceptical voices across the Chamber, and some of us are seeking reassurance. There have been occasions on which I have not supported my party in some votes on European matters. One of the reasons why I speak in so many of these debates is that there are many...

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. McDougal’s report about 30 years ago pointed out that without the capacity for major fiscal transfers between member states, it would be impossible to run a single currency. A single tax and benefits system allowing standard benefit and tax rates throughout the system would...

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. McDougal’s report about 30 years ago pointed out that without the capacity for major fiscal transfers between member states, it would be impossible to run a single currency. A single tax and benefits system allowing standard benefit and tax rates throughout the system would...

Would it not be simpler just to recommend the abolition of both the CAP and the common fisheries policy?

Would it not be simpler just to recommend the abolition of both the CAP and the common fisheries policy?

The hon. Gentleman makes a strong point; in fact, as we have a big trade deficit with Europe, they need us more than we need them.

The hon. Gentleman makes a strong point; in fact, as we have a big trade deficit with Europe, they need us more than we need them.

Following the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart), with which I totally agree, is it not a fact that the Polish Government have expressed concern about the loss of the brightest and best from their society? They need those talents, but they are...

Following the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart), with which I totally agree, is it not a fact that the Polish Government have expressed concern about the loss of the brightest and best from their society? They need those talents, but they are...

The hon. Gentleman mentioned Finland. Some years ago I asked a Finnish journalist why Finland did not hold a referendum on these matters. The journalist said, ““We could not hold a referendum: the people would not vote the right way.””

The hon. Gentleman mentioned Finland. Some years ago I asked a Finnish journalist why Finland did not hold a referendum on these matters. The journalist said, ““We could not hold a referendum: the people would not vote the right way.””

I strongly agree with my hon. Friend about the need to build a Europe-wide rail network. That is happening already, for freight in particular but for passengers as well, as a result of the initiative taken by our noble Friend Lord Kinnock when he was Transport Commissioner. However, does my...

I strongly agree with my hon. Friend about the need to build a Europe-wide rail network. That is happening already, for freight in particular but for passengers as well, as a result of the initiative taken by our noble Friend Lord Kinnock when he was Transport Commissioner. However, does my...