Exiting the EU: New Partnership

Debate between David Davis and William Wragg

Thursday 2nd February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davis]

The Government’s thinking on Brexit is very clear. If someone disagrees with it, that does not mean that it does not exist. That is the problem that SNP Members have had all the way through this process. They just do not like it—[Interruption.] Sure, half a page is blank. Wonderful. I think that is the case in every book I own.

[William Wragg (Hazel Grove) (Con)]

I welcome the White Paper and hope that it heralds unity both in our party and in the country on our approach to leaving the European Union. May I therefore commend to all Members yesterday’s speech by my right hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt)? He was the epitome of grace and magnanimity.

[Mr Davis]

I agree with him entirely on both counts.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Davis and William Wragg

Thursday 26th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[William Wragg (Hazel Grove) (Con)]

17. What the Government’s policy is on consulting Parliament on the final agreement on the UK leaving the EU.

[The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (Mr David Davis)]

As the Prime Minister said, we will put the final deals agreed between the UK and the EU to a vote in both Houses of Parliament. We have always said that we will observe the constitutional and legal obligations that apply to the final deal. As I have said many times, we will keep the House informed throughout the process.

[William Wragg]

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that both Houses of Parliament will have several opportunities to vote on a wide range of legislation determining substantial policy decisions as we exit the EU?

[Mr Davis]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The article 50 Bill will be introduced imminently. A great repeal Bill is to be introduced in the next Session—an important piece of legislation that will ensure that all EU law is converted into UK law, including on issues such as workers’ rights and environmental regulations, which I would have thought would matter to the Opposition. There will be subsequent legislation on those and other issues. But that is just the beginning. Exiting the European Union will give this Parliament control of its own laws again. Decisions on policy will be taken here, not in the European Union, and we will be back to being a free country again.

Article 50

Debate between David Davis and William Wragg

Tuesday 24th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davis]

I spoke to Carwyn Jones about that yesterday. I have not had a chance to read it in detail, but I know the headlines. He took me through them, and it struck me as a very constructive submission to the process. We will debate it at the next Joint Ministerial Committee.

[William Wragg (Hazel Grove) (Con)]

Mr Speaker,

“joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth”.

Does my right hon. Friend share my delight that those who were previously happy for sovereignty to be dispatched to Brussels now believe in the sovereignty of the United Kingdom Parliament?

[Mr Davis]

I warn my hon. Friend to be wary of biblical quotations. The last one I used was,

“Get thee behind me, Satan”,

and it rode with me for several weeks thereafter. However, he is right that this is a massive exercise in democracy, and we will make it so.

New Partnership with the EU

Debate between David Davis and William Wragg

Tuesday 17th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[William Wragg (Hazel Grove) (Con)]

My right hon. Friend is the man with the plan. [Interruption.] Opposition Members may mock if they wish, but will my right hon. Friend ensure that those wanting a running commentary will not get their way in wrecking the negotiation?

[Mr Davis]

Of course.

Article 50

Debate between David Davis and William Wragg

Monday 7th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davis]

I commend the hon. Gentleman for his honesty and straightforwardness. He and I have been on the same side many times in these battles and it is good that we are again.

[William Wragg (Hazel Grove) (Con)]

The judges are not enemies of the people, but the enemies of democracy would be Members of this House who sought to frustrate the triggering, or adulterate the substance, of article 50. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that he will not allow those still oscillating among the five stages of grief to derail our leaving the EU?

[Mr Davis]

The Government will carry out the instruction given by the British people, and we will do so in the national interest as quickly as we can.