New Partnership with the EU

Lord Mackinlay of Richborough Excerpts

Tuesday 17th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davis]

No. Being left with what the 27 nations want to impose on us is the definition of a bad deal.

[Craig Mackinlay (South Thanet) (Con)]

I am sure that the Secretary of State shares my enthusiasm for the clarity in the Prime Minister’s speech today on her vision for a global Britain, and freedom from the customs union and the constraints of single market membership, but how will he impart that same enthusiasm to our EU friends and partners as we approach this future in order that they might realise it is as good for them as it is for us—that it is a positive-sum game?

[Mr Davis]

That last point is the most persuasive: it is a positive-sum game, and will be to their benefit as well. The EU has had a difficult five years in economic terms, so if anyone has an appetite for more jobs, business and trade, it is the EU, and we are its biggest market.

Article 50

Lord Mackinlay of Richborough Excerpts

Monday 7th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davis]

Strictly speaking, that is a question for him, not me. He is a very good friend of mine and I will not say anything against him. I am very sorry to see him go, but beyond that, I thought he got it completely wrong.

[Craig Mackinlay (South Thanet) (Con)]

My understanding of parliamentary sovereignty is that it is a mixture of the will of this House, the views of the other place and the Crown in Parliament as exercised by the Government. Does my right hon. Friend agree that article 50 should be triggered and implemented as intended because the instruction has been given by the ultimate holders of sovereignty in this country—the British people?

[Mr Davis]

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend, but that must be subject to one thing: a Government who operate under the law. That is what we are going to do.