Oral Answers to Questions

Caroline Lucas Excerpts

Wednesday 30th November 2016 Commons Chamber

The Prime Minister was asked—

[Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green)]

Q1. If she will list her official engagements for Wednesday 30 November.

[The Prime Minister (Mrs Theresa May)]

I am sure that the whole House will join me in wishing people across the United Kingdom and, indeed, the whole world a very happy St Andrew’s day.

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, and in addition to my duties in this House I shall have further such meetings later today.

[Caroline Lucas]

May I suggest to the Prime Minister that “having your cake and eating it” is not a serious strategy for Brexit and that Britain deserves better that having to rely on leaked documents to know the Government’s plans? How on earth can she expect MPs to vote to trigger article 50 when she refuses to give any clarity on what kind of Brexit she is pursuing and whether it will involve us still being members of the single market? Is it arrogance, or is it incompetence?

[The Prime Minister]

I have answered this question many times in this House. The hon. Lady asks specifically about the single market and trading with the European Union, and I have been very clear that we are ambitious in getting the best possible deal for trading with and operating within the single European market.