Greece

Lord Mackinlay of Richborough Excerpts

Monday 29th June 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Osborne]

I am not very impressed with anti-austerity crusaders who promise the earth and cannot deliver.

[Craig Mackinlay (South Thanet) (Con)]

The slide of the Greek economy has been long, slow and increasingly painful as it has lurched from one bail-out crisis to the next. The fundamental failure is, of course, the euro at its heart and I do not feel that a new deal now will do anything to solve that. Might a no vote next week be the best outcome, and will my right hon. Friend offer practical support to Greece when it inevitably and sensibly reinstates its own currency?

[Mr Osborne]

I completely respect my hon. Friend’s opinion, but it is better from my position to say that it is for the Greek people to decide in that referendum. Of course, whatever the outcome, my hon. Friend is absolutely right to say that we are there as a friend of Greece to help it at this troubled time whatever course it chooses to take.