European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill and Extension Letter Debate

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Department: Department for Exiting the European Union

European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill and Extension Letter

Chris Leslie Excerpts
Monday 21st October 2019

(4 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Steve Barclay Portrait Stephen Barclay
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I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend that we need certainty, and the Prime Minister’s deal offers exactly that. What we have from those on the Opposition Benches is more dither, more delay, and a desire for a second referendum, but no clarity on how long that second referendum would take.

Chris Leslie Portrait Mr Chris Leslie (Nottingham East) (IGC)
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I understand the political reasons for the Minister’s reluctance around the Benn Act, but it is the law of the land. I am worried by what he said, because he seems to give the impression it is only about sending a letter, but it is about more than that. Section 1(4) of the Act requires that the Prime Minister “must seek to obtain” an extension. It is not just a matter of sending a letter; he must seek to obtain that extension, and that involves the Prime Minister using his best endeavours and good faith in trying—[Interruption.]

Chris Leslie Portrait Mr Leslie
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There is a duty on the Prime Minister that he must seek to obtain an extension. Will the Minister therefore acknowledge that the Prime Minister’s legal duties are not simply about sending an unsigned letter?