Britain’s Place in the World

Debate between Lord Sharma and Ian Paisley

Tuesday 15th October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Alok Sharma]

I have a lot of respect for the right hon. Gentleman so I am sorry to have to say this to him, but the Bill that he brought forward, which we refer to as the surrender Act now—I know other colleagues would refer to it differently—reduced the negotiating position of the Government. Our policy still is a preference for a deal, but he must take his share of responsibility if we end up with no deal on 31 October.

[Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP)]

Will the Minister give way on that point?

[Alok Sharma]

No, I will not; let me make some more progress.

I was talking about the opportunities that we will have outside the European Union, and of course there will be opportunities that will boost British businesses with strong trading relationships with countries around the world, championing free trade.