Summary

  • Debate on reconciliation in foreign policy and international development

  1. This is a 'shambles of a government'published at 16:41 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

    Brexit statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Liz Saville RobertsImage source, HoC

    Plaid Cymru Westminster Leader Liz Saville Roberts says that the public see a "shambles of a government," and therefore says her party will support Labour if they decide to call a vote of no confidence in the prime minister.

    She asks the PM to "rule out the threat of no deal" and revoke Article 50 if necessary.

    Mrs May says revoking Article 50 would "go back" on the result of the referendum and keep the UK in the European Union.

  2. SNP MP calls for 'People's Vote'published at 16:38 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

    Brexit Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    SNP MP Joanna Cherry says Theresa May has used the argument that "a 'People's Vote' risks dividing the country again."

    Ms Cherry says she wants to remind the prime minister that "the UK is not a country it is a union of four nations, and already the union is divided because two out of the four nations voted to remain."

    "If she really believes in the deal, why won't she have the courage of convictions and put the deal back to the people?" she questions.

    Theresa May says she has answered the question about going back to the people, "I have not been lax about coming to the Commons to answer questions on the matter."

    "We entered into the EU as one United Kingdom and we will be leaving as one United Kingdom," she adds.

  3. Tory MP: People are entitled to change their mind on Brexitpublished at 16:37 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

    Brexit Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Anna SoubryImage source, HoC

    Tory Anna Soubry says a number of Conservatives begged the PM to reach out for a "compromise and consensus" on Brexit before laying out her red lines, but it didn't happen.

    After three days of debate, it's clear that "nothing has changed and nothing will change", she says. However, she says the view of the British people is changing, calling for the decision to put back to them in the form of a so-called 'People's Vote'.

    People are entitled to change their mind, she says.

    Theresa May says the UK doesn't have a long tradition of holding referendums, but in all previous occasions that they have taken place the government has taken a very clear view that the result should be respected.

    The result for this referendum should be respected as well, she says.

  4. Fox: prefers vote to be after Christmaspublished at 16:37 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

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  5. Labour MP calls for May 'to keep all options open'published at 16:36 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

    Brexit Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Labour MP Chris Leslie, a member of the cross-party group of politicians who brought a case before the European Court of Justice to determine if Article 50 could be revoked by the UK alone, says in light of this morning's judgement "which clarified that all options are available for our country", he wants to make the prime minister "a sincere offer".

    Mr Leslie says if Theresa May takes her Brexit proposal back to the British public for a final say and also allows the public the chance to stay in the EU, "she can be assured the support of many on these benches".

    He urges the prime minister "to keep all options open".

    Theresa May says "she appreciates the sincerity" of Mr Leslie's question "but I do feel genuinely that it is important for this House to act on the vote of 2016."

  6. PM has 'great courage' - Gillanpublished at 16:35 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

    Brexit statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Conservative Dame Cheryl Gillan says that the prime minister has "great courage" in delaying the vote to get the "best possible deal for this country".

    She says the Commons shouldn't be letting people down by calling a second referendum.

    Mrs May says she is "absolutely right" as many people voted for the first time in 2016. They will be left asking in the future why they should bother voting if this is not honoured, she says.

  7. Speaker's role emphasised...published at 16:34 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

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  8. Former Brexit secretary calls for time limited backstoppublished at 16:32 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

    Brexit Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Conservative MP and former Brexit Secretary David Davis says "the backstop must be time limited under our control and this must be legally enforceable."

    He asks if this is what the prime minister is seeking.

    Theresa May says it is "not the intention of either side that the backstop will be used" which is in the withdrawal agreement.

    "People are concerned about the extent to which they can trust these assurances, which is why it is important to go back to get further reassurances," she says.

  9. Tory MP: Important MPs are able to support dealpublished at 16:31 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

    Brexit Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Conservative MP Damian Green says that as one of the 146 MPs who have already spoken in the debate, he thinks it's more important a good deal is agreed.

    "What's most important for Parliament is that Parliament is seen to be taking its responsibility seriously," he says, asking for an update on whether progress is possible and for confirmation that MPs will will be able to agree a deal.

    Theresa May says every MP's contribution so far has been important, and that she is confident that there will be some further changes achieved.

  10. Why can't people change their minds?published at 16:28 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

    Brexit statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Green Caroline Lucas says that the PM has changed her mind on the backstop, and asks why therefore the British people cannot change their minds.

    Mrs May says if a further referendum came out with a different result then there might be arguments for a third referendum.

    "They voted, we should deliver on it," she states.

  11. Article 50 extension 'ever more likely'published at 16:25 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

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  12. This looks 'chaotic and ridiculous' - Cooperpublished at 16:25 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

    Brexit statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    ChamberImage source, hoc

    Labour's Yvette Cooper says that the prime minister still sent out her ministers until 11am this morning to say that it was still going ahead.

    "Does she not realise how chaotic and ridiculous this makes the whole country look?" she asks. She says the public "cannot trust the most basic things that our ministers are saying".

    Mrs May replies that the decision was taken this morning over concerns to the backstop. "It is that issue that we will be going back to the European Union on," she adds.

  13. Tory MP: 'Far from claiming sovereignty, we are about to part with it'published at 16:23 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

    Brexit Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Conservative MP Dominic Grieve says he shares the concerns about maintaining the Belfast Agreement in Ireland and an open border.

    He says the backstop ensures the UK are replacing sovereignty with a system that "ruthlessly undermines our sovereign rights".

    Mr Grieve says he is "mindful of the fact that the prime minister faces many complications which are not of her making", but adds that "surely" the prime minister "should go back to the public" to see if they want to remain in the EU.

    Theresa May says another referendum "would lead to a significant loss of faith in our democracy and would leave to people questioning the role of this House".

  14. Pound falls sharplypublished at 16:20 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

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  15. Chair of Brexit Committee calls for PM to be 'upfront' about realitypublished at 16:20 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

    Brexit Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Hilary BennImage source, HoC

    Chair of the Brexit Committee Hilary Benn says the prime minister has called on others to be upfront about what they want.

    She needs to be upfront too, he says.

    It was "her red lines" that led to the backstop and left her in such a weak position, Mr Benn says.

    He asks whether a single EU leader has indicated that they would be prepared to renegotiate Article 20 of the backstop, because otherwise cancelling tomorrow's vote is "delaying the inevitable".

    The prime minister says the UK has always been clear that there can be no border in the Irish sea, only for the EU to suggest it. She says this was negotiated out of the proposals.

  16. 'A brutal session'published at 16:18 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

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  17. A voice of support for the deal from Tory benchespublished at 16:18 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

    Brexit statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Conservative Dame Caroline Spelman says that the deal protects manufacturers in her constituency. She says she "always prefers a prime minister who will listen".

    She says the best way to avoid economic disruption is to leave with a deal.

    Mrs May says that the government listened to manufacturers "up and down the country" and is also respecting the result of the referendum.

  18. DUP MP urges Theresa May 'to listen and amend agreement'published at 16:17 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

    Brexit Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Nigel DoddsImage source, hoc

    DUP Leader in the Commons Nigel Dodds says "the prime minister says she's listening but she talks about assurances and reassurances."

    "Does she not get it by now that the withdrawal agreement legally binding text is not accepted in this House?" he questions.

    Mr Dodds questions how Theresa May can still support a deal that she acknowledges would be largely defeated in this House.

    "Please listen and amend the withdrawal agreement or it will be voted down."

    Theresa May says she is having further discussions with EU members to "get those assurances to the issues that members of this House are concerned about".

  19. Yet another blow for companies - CBIpublished at 16:14 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

    Carolyn FairbairnImage source, Reuters

    Carolyn Fairbairn, the director general of business group the CBI, says the delay in the vote is "yet another blow for companies desperate for clarity".

    "Investment plans have been paused for two-and-a-half years," she said.

    "Unless a deal is agreed quickly, the country risks sliding towards a national crisis.

    "Politicians on both sides of the Channel need to show leadership, by building consensus to protect both the UK and EU's prosperity."

  20. What about the Brexit legal advice?published at 16:13 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2018

    Brexit statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Chair of the European Scrutiny Committee Sir Bill Cash says that under the ministerial code there is an "absolute obligation" to consult the Attorney General "in good time" on legal advice.

    He asks if the PM sought advice from Geoffrey Cox "in good time" and if further advice has been given since.

    Mrs May says that the government has published its documentation on the legal advice.