European Union (Withdrawal) Act

Albert Owen Excerpts

Monday 14th January 2019 Commons Chamber

[Dr Fox]

The advice I will give to the hon. Gentleman is this. The point was raised in the previous Session that no House can bind its successor, but 80% of Members of this House were elected on a manifesto that said they would honour the result of the referendum. We have a duty to do so if we are to keep faith with our voters.

[Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab)]

Will the Secretary of State give way?

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

rose—

--- Later in debate ---

[Dr Fox]

The very act of spending that £9 million, given the outcome of the referendum, shows quite how easy it is to waste Government money.

It is clear that there are three possible outcomes to our deliberations.

[Albert Owen]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I do not make points of order lightly, as you know. The Prime Minister was asked a question earlier about respecting the will of the people and referendums. A number of Members—including, I think, the Secretary of State—voted against the Government of Wales Act 1998 after the 1997 referendum decided the matter. That should be on the record when he lectures us about Brexit.

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman has put his point on the record, and it is there for people to observe if they wish.