EU Exit Negotiations

Clive Efford Excerpts
Tuesday 5th December 2017

(6 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Davis Portrait Mr Davis
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First, the hon. Gentleman does not need to point out to a member of the Conservative and Unionist party the importance of the United Kingdom. Secondly, the Union does not require membership of the single market. As far as I remember, the United Kingdom existed well before we were a member of the single market.

Clive Efford Portrait Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)
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Article 50 was designed to be harsh on the country that triggered it. Its author, Mr Giuliano Amato, a former Italian Prime Minister, described it as a

“safety valve that was there”

but should never be used. Are we not setting an unrealistic timescale and is it not time for us to seek to delay the implementation of leaving the European Union, so we can resolve issues around the customs union and the single market?

David Davis Portrait Mr Davis
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I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman, and if I were to give him one piece of advice about negotiations, it would be not to give up before they start.