European Union (Approvals) Bill [Lords]

Debate between Baroness Hoey and Richard Shepherd

Monday 27th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Sir Richard Shepherd]

It pretends to be a state. It has all the trappings that we fund it to have to be that absurd construction—and it is an absurd construction if we believe in democracy. There is no relationship between that construction and democracy.

[Kate Hoey (Vauxhall) (Lab)]

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that it seems strange that although those on the Government Front Bench have said they want to bring back powers from Europe and will have a referendum—something we all want; well, I certainly do—and although we have here an opportunity to say no to something that the British people overwhelmingly want to say no to, we get excuses and all sorts of things to put the measure through? [Interruption.]

[Sir Richard Shepherd]

I hear some squawking on the Opposition Benches, but I think what the hon. Lady says is true for most British people. How does one reconcile the collapse of the Department of entertainments into acquiescence? That is the worry.