Brexit Transition: European Parliament Membership Debate

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Department: Department for Exiting the European Union

Brexit Transition: European Parliament Membership

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock Excerpts
Thursday 7th June 2018

(6 years, 6 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Callanan Portrait Lord Callanan
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Whether that would be a good idea or not, it would have to be agreed with the European Parliament and as we will no longer be a member state, I cannot see that Parliament being happy about the prospect of a non-member state sending representatives to it.

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock Portrait Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)
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Will the Minister join me in commending the Electoral Commission for making provision for elections to the European Parliament, should we still remain as members?

Lord Callanan Portrait Lord Callanan
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We will not be remaining as members. The Government think it is a waste to spend money on an election that would be pointless because we will not have Members of the European Parliament. We also think it is pointless for the Electoral Commission to spend money preparing for an election that will not happen, and we have made that very clear to it.