Leaving the European Union

Debate between Lord Taylor of Holbeach and Lord Pearson of Rannoch

Wednesday 22nd May 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach (Con)]

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Pearson, has been getting up since the beginning. We ought to hear from him and then from the noble Lord and, indeed, from Wales.

[Lord Pearson of Rannoch]

That is generous of the noble Lord. If and when this latest version of the Government’s deal fails, why do they not offer EU citizens a very simple alternative deal: continuing free trade under the World Trade Organization, which would get rid of the Irish border problem; continuing reciprocal residence for, say, two years; and going on with programmes such as Erasmus but as a sovereign nation? Why do the Government feel bound to prolong their hopeless negotiations with the Commission under clause 2 of Article 50 when Brussels has broken clause 1 by not allowing us to regain our sovereignty and has no intention of doing so? Why do we not team up with the people of Europe, to our mutual benefit and friendship?

Further Developments in Discussions with the European Union under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union

Debate between Lord Taylor of Holbeach and Lord Pearson of Rannoch

Monday 11th March 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Pearson of Rannoch (UKIP)]

My Lords, would the noble and learned Lord care to comment on a Written Answer I recently received from the Government to the effect that—

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach (Con)]

My Lords, I think the noble Lord is perhaps testing the patience of the House by his constant interruptions. The noble and learned Lord had indeed sat down. I do not think that it is right that the noble Lord should raise another issue. He is entitled to raise purely points of clarification.

[Lord Pearson of Rannoch]

“Masters unfair to Molesworth.”

European Council

Debate between Lord Taylor of Holbeach and Lord Pearson of Rannoch

Monday 18th December 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

My Lords, I am sorry, but I did give the noble Lord, Lord Pearson, the next go and the Lib Dems after that. We will then hear from the Conservative Benches.

[Lord Pearson of Rannoch]

My Lords, the Statement says that the Government will propose that our free trade with the EU should continue as now. Do the Government fear that the Eurocrats will be arrogant enough to refuse this offer which, as I have mentioned before, would be much more in EU exporters’ collective interest than it would be in ours because, if we are all forced back to the WTO, they will pay us some £13 billion in extra tariffs and our exporters will pay them about £5 billion? Can the Government assure your Lordships that they will hold firm on this offer, enlisting, if necessary, the support of EU exporters? Going further, why should our free trade together not continue indefinitely? Would that not also be quite helpful with the Irish border problem?