Article 50

Debate between David Davis and Conor Burns

Monday 7th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davis]

This is one of those rare occasions when the heckle is right. The truth here is that the rights of Parliament rest on the sovereignty of the people—in this case, 17.4 million people.

[Conor Burns (Bournemouth West) (Con)]

There are far too many Members of both this place and the other place, including my right hon. Friend’s opposite number at lunchtime today, who are taking to the airwaves to tell us that they fully respect the result of the referendum and then go on to insert that very important word “but”. Will my right hon. Friend use this occasion to explain, from the Dispatch Box, to those at this end and the other end that there are no buts on Brexit?

[Mr Davis]

My hon. Friend is exactly right. Indeed, I think earlier I said no ifs or buts.

Exiting the European Union

Debate between David Davis and Conor Burns

Monday 5th September 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davis]

That is just one element of free trade, but of course we want to maintain as much access as possible. That is the aim in the negotiations.

[Conor Burns (Bournemouth West) (Con)]

I welcome my right hon. Friend to his place on the Front Bench, and my right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for International Trade, who are sitting either side of him. We have great faith in what they will deliver. Does the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union agree that not liking the outcome of a democratic vote is no justification for seeking to overturn it, however much sympathy we may have for Labour Members with their forthcoming democratic vote? This is a great opportunity for the United Kingdom. Is it not time to put the arguments of the referendum behind us and back Britain’s Government in getting a good deal for Britain? We are changing the direction of our country. This is not just the Government’s negotiation but Britain’s negotiation, and this House should unite behind them.

[Mr Davis]

As always, my hon. Friend speaks for England.