Article 50

Debate between David Davis and Steve McCabe

Tuesday 24th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davis]

As I have said to several of the hon. Gentleman’s colleagues, we work in the Joint Ministerial Committee, we work bilaterally, and we seek to protect the interests of the whole United Kingdom, not least Scotland.

[Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab)]

I do not want to frustrate the process, but is the Secretary of State saying that the referendum result is the only factor that should govern the article 50 vote? Is that not tantamount to signing a blank cheque and setting aside the views of our constituents?

New Partnership with the EU

Debate between David Davis and Steve McCabe

Tuesday 17th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davis]

Of course. If the European negotiators take a rational approach, we will do this deal inside the two years, and it will be good for both sides.

[Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab)]

No deal might be better than a bad deal, but is not the reality that no deal means that, despite their best efforts, the British Government have been unable to conclude what they regard as a satisfactory outcome to the negotiations, leaving us therefore with what the other 27 members want to impose on us, and does that not sound like a pretty bad deal?

[Mr Davis]

No. Being left with what the 27 nations want to impose on us is the definition of a bad deal.