Article 50

Debate between Baroness May of Maidenhead and Heidi Alexander

Wednesday 29th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

At the point at which we leave the European Union, the acquis will be brought into UK law, which will provide businesses with certainty. It will then be up to the UK Government and the UK Parliament to determine what regulations remain in place in the future and what deregulation should take place.

[Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab)]

In her letter to Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister refers to the treaty on European Union and the treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community. She makes no reference, however, to the European economic area agreement, which underpins our membership of the single market. When and how does the Prime Minister intend to withdraw us from the EEA?

[The Prime Minister]

Membership of the EEA is linked to our membership of the European Union, and our notification in relation to leaving the European Union also covers the EEA.

European Council

Debate between Baroness May of Maidenhead and Heidi Alexander

Tuesday 14th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

First, as the hon. Gentleman will know—I am sure that he has been present in the Chamber in previous statements and debates on this topic— I do not accept his terminology that what we will be negotiating is a hard Brexit from the European Union. We shall be negotiating a good trade deal, which will be good for all parts of the United Kingdom, including Scotland.

[Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab)]

In the Prime Minister’s desperation to do the UK Independence party’s bidding, she has determined that we will be leaving the single market as well as withdrawing from the European Union. Will she tell me whether there will be stand-alone legislation to repeal the European Economic Area Act 1993, or does she intend to use the EEA as the basis for her transitional implementation period?

[The Prime Minister]

I expected better from the hon. Lady in terms of the description that she has given. I say simply this: what this Government are doing is the bidding of the British people, and the British people alone.

European Council 2016

Debate between Baroness May of Maidenhead and Heidi Alexander

Monday 19th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

Obviously, while we remain members of the EU, we will continue to have obligations as members of EU. What is important is that when we leave the EU, people want us to ensure that it is the British Government that decide how taxpayers’ money is spent.

[Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab)]

The European Council stressed that those responsible for breaches of international law in Syria must be held accountable and that the EU is considering all available options. No one would disagree with that sentiment, but will the Prime Minister set out what it means in practice?

[The Prime Minister]

Where people have breached international humanitarian law, the UK Government’s position is that that should be investigated and properly dealt with and that people should be brought to justice as a result. As for the available options, some further sanctions have been considered. This is an issue that the UK has raised in the past and one that we continue to look at.