European Council 2016 Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

European Council 2016

David Winnick Excerpts
Monday 19th December 2016

(7 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Theresa May Portrait The Prime Minister
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I agree with my right hon. Friend. We want to see other countries step up to the plate. This country is spending 2% of its budget on defence; we think that others should be doing the same, and I have been encouraging them to do so.

David Winnick Portrait Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab)
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It is clear that there are many differences among Conservative Members over freedom of movement, but is it not also clear that if the free movement of labour continued, it would make a mockery of a majority decision made by the British people in a referendum?

Theresa May Portrait The Prime Minister
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As I said earlier, I think one of the things that underlay the vote was people’s desire to see the British Government control immigration from the European Union. If the hon. Gentleman does not think freedom of movement should continue, I suggest that he talk to his own Front Benchers about it.