All 1 Debates between David Drew and Martin Vickers

Brexit Deal: Referendum

Debate between David Drew and Martin Vickers
Monday 11th December 2017

(6 years, 11 months ago)

Westminster Hall
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts

Westminster Hall is an alternative Chamber for MPs to hold debates, named after the adjoining Westminster Hall.

Each debate is chaired by an MP from the Panel of Chairs, rather than the Speaker or Deputy Speaker. A Government Minister will give the final speech, and no votes may be called on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

Martin Vickers Portrait Martin Vickers
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I entirely agree. It would be a breach of trust of the British people if we went back to them and held a second referendum. We would be saying, “Sorry, you got it wrong, folks. We know better”.

David Drew Portrait Dr Drew
- Hansard - -

So why did the Conservatives take us into the Common Market in the first place?

Martin Vickers Portrait Martin Vickers
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

The Conservatives took us into the Common Market—as it was then—but they did not do it with my blessing. In the 1975 referendum I voted to leave, so I have been pretty consistent. Unfortunately, the Labour Government took us into the then Common Market; it was Harold Wilson who tried to mend the wounds of the Labour party by holding the first referendum.

David Drew Portrait Dr Drew
- Hansard - -

History repeats itself.

Martin Vickers Portrait Martin Vickers
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

That is a matter of interpretation. The reality is that Parliament voted overwhelmingly to trigger article 50. Whatever colleagues might say now, the fact is that the vote triggered an irreversible process and was an acknowledgment of the original referendum decision.