Oral Answers to Questions

Angela Crawley Excerpts

Wednesday 30th January 2019 Commons Chamber

[Carol Monaghan (Glasgow North West) (SNP)]

4. What recent discussions she has had with the Prime Minister on the backstop protocol in the EU Withdrawal Agreement.

[Angela Crawley (Lanark and Hamilton East) (SNP)]

8. What recent discussions she has had with the Prime Minister on the backstop protocol in the EU Withdrawal Agreement.

--- Later in debate ---

[Karen Bradley]

The commitments made in the joint report remain. Those commitments were that we would find a solution to the Irish border, ideally through our future relationship. We are still committed to that being the case. Last night, the House showed that there is a majority to pass the withdrawal agreement if changes are made to the backstop. The Prime Minister is working on that basis.

[Angela Crawley]

The deputy head of the Irish Government, Simon Coveney, has stated that

“the backstop is already a compromise…And the European Parliament will not ratify a withdrawal agreement that doesn’t have a backstop in it.”

Again, that was confirmed last night by the EU. Does the Secretary of State agree that her Government are pursuing a dead-end policy by seeking to renegotiate the backstop?

[Karen Bradley]

Can I very gently point out to the hon. Lady that she voted against the backstop?