Leaving the European Union

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Tuesday 26th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I am thinking precisely of the national interest when I sit down with the European Commission and other European Union leaders with a view to negotiating changes to the withdrawal agreement and the package we agreed, such that we can bring that back to this House and get agreement for a deal.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

So that I can prepare to realign myself to the metaphysical plane: what is my right hon. Friend’s estimate of the possibility of our leaving on time?

[The Prime Minister]

It is my estimation that it is within our grasp to get changes such that we can bring a deal back to this House to enable this House to confirm in a meaningful vote its intention to leave the European Union with a deal on 29 March.

Leaving the EU

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Tuesday 12th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

The hon. Lady may shake her head. There are elements of the political declaration that are still for debate, and I recognise that there will be rigorous debate on some of those elements. In short, we want to ensure that when we come to the end of the implementation period, we have that close economic and security relationship with the European Union.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

I hope that there is not a special place somewhere in particular for those of us who take a rather literal interpretation of the word “replace”.

[The Prime Minister]

My right hon. Friend has always held a special place in my estimation and, indeed, in that of Members across the House, and I would not suggest that he would be going to any other special place.

Leaving the European Union

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Monday 21st January 2019 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

The position that I believe will be of great benefit to manufacturers and our economy is our having a good trading relationship with the EU and the freedom to negotiate those trade deals around the rest of the world, and that is what we have been working for.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

How is remaining in a customs union consistent with the decision of the British people to be no longer subject to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice?

[The Prime Minister]

My right hon. Friend raises an important issue. I believe one reason people voted to leave the EU was that they wanted to leave the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, and that is what we want to deliver.

Leaving the EU

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Monday 14th January 2019 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

Business is absolutely clear that the certainty it requires is the certainty that will be given by agreeing this deal.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

To guarantee Brexit, the Prime Minister should prorogue Parliament until April—tempting, isn’t it?

[The Prime Minister]

My right hon. Friend is trying to tempt me down a road that I do not think I should go down. Were Parliament to prorogue until April, I would be denied the opportunity to see my right hon. Friend and answer his questions on a regular basis, and that would be very sad.

European Council

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Monday 17th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I have made the point about listening to the House, which is why further discussions are taking place, and as I said in my statement, I am of course happy to speak with people in this House. I have been speaking with quite a few of my colleagues over the past couple of weeks, and I am happy to continue to speak with colleagues about how we can ensure that we deliver on the vote and that we deliver a good Brexit.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

Should the Prime Minister’s recent experiences at the EU Council not serve as a powerful corrective to any illusion that we could have remained a member of it?

[The Prime Minister]

My right hon. Friend makes an interesting point. I suspect that what he saw actually fed into the concerns that many of the 17.4 million people had when they voted to leave.

Exiting the European Union

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Monday 10th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

What the country requires is for us to continue to work to get a good deal over the line, so we can deliver on Brexit in a way that honours the referendum, and protects jobs and livelihoods across the country. Further uncertainty and division will do nothing to help people who are looking to their futures.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

Essential to any successful negotiator is the ability to walk away. The backstop takes that from us. How can the Prime Minister change that?

[The Prime Minister]

First, we are continuing with the no-deal preparations. As I said earlier, the Cabinet will meet to discuss those further. Secondly, in any circumstance we need to ensure there is no hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. It is finding ways we can do that in a way that enables us to be free in a future relationship which is the best possible deal for this country. That is what we are looking for and striving to achieve.

Oral Answers to Questions

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Wednesday 28th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

First, I have already quoted—referenced—what the Chancellor said. The hon. Lady’s reference to the issue of Gibraltar goes absolutely contrary to what the Chief Minister of Gibraltar has said about the way in which the United Kingdom has absolutely stood by Gibraltar—and we will continue to stand by Gibraltar. She will have heard me say before that I believe, in terms of a second referendum, that it is important that we deliver on the vote of the British people. But I would also just ask her to consider this: it would not be possible to hold a referendum before 29 March next year. That would mean having to extend article 50—[Interruption.] She wants to extend article 50 —delaying Brexit or leaving with no deal. I believe that the best option for this country is to ensure that we deliver on the Brexit vote, that we leave the European Union next March, that we do not delay that point, and that we leave with a good deal that will protect jobs across the country.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

Is the Prime Minister concerned about religious persecution in the Holy Land, and will she welcome the visit of the Patriarch of Jerusalem?

[The Prime Minister]

I thank my right hon. Friend. Of course, he will know that this weekend marks the start of Advent, which is a time of expectation and hope for Christians. Today is Red Wednesday—a day when landmark buildings, including these Houses of Parliament, will turn scarlet as an act of solidarity with persecuted Christians.

I certainly welcome the Patriarch of Jerusalem’s upcoming visit. I know that some Israelis can face additional structural challenges, particularly Christian and Muslim Arab Israelis, who experience higher rates of poverty and unemployment, and can face discrimination. We certainly encourage the Israeli Government to do all they can to uphold the values of equality for all enshrined in their laws. I give my right hon. Friend the assurance that I will continue to work with Governments, with the international community and with the United Nations to support the rights of minorities, including Christians.

Leaving the EU

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Monday 26th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

The common travel area will continue to exist. That is one of the things that has been agreed in the withdrawal agreement.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

The power to extend the transition or the backstop indefinitely has got to be a trap, hasn’t it?

[The Prime Minister]

No, and precisely because of the reasons that I set out. Not only is it clear that that can only be temporary, but it is also the case that many in the European Union believe that the backstop is actually a place that gives the United Kingdom an advantage—an advantage that they would not wish to give us.

Progress on EU Negotiations

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Thursday 22nd November 2018 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

First, let me add my congratulations to the hon. Lady on her election as President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. She refers to what will be possible within NATO and the capabilities available to NATO. We remain committed to NATO, as we always have been, as the secure element of our defence. We have had to take some decisions including, as she will be aware, a key decision about some future capabilities in relation to Galileo, because what was being offered by the European Union would not have given us sufficient ability to be part of and participate in that system. That is why we decided to take our own decision and go it alone in that area.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

But it is a wish list, isn’t it?

[The Prime Minister]

No, this is a commitment on both sides to the future relationship that we will now be negotiating into legal text. As my right hon. Friend will I am sure recognise, there is a linkage between the withdrawal agreement and this political declaration that makes clear the importance of both sides putting their best endeavours into ensuring that this future relationship is negotiated in legal text and available by the end of December 2020.

Oral Answers to Questions

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Wednesday 21st November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Harriett Baldwin]

I pay tribute to the right hon. Gentleman’s work on the issue. We have seen the important report today that drew that conclusion. He will be aware that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will make a statement on Yemen later today. The right hon. Gentleman can be assured that the UK Government are doing everything we can, not only to fund the humanitarian response, but to resolve the logistical challenges that face those who want to deliver humanitarian aid.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

8. Will the Minister make the 250 million children who live in conflict zones a priority?

[Harriett Baldwin]

Yes; I reassure my right hon. Friend that children in conflict zones—there are so many of them—will continue to be a priority. I reassure hon. Members, who may have read reports that the figure was as low as 2.5%, that we do not recognise that figure. Our response to protecting children in conflict zones goes way beyond that and forms a core part of what we do.

--- Later in debate ---

[Penny Mordaunt]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for the long-term campaign work he has done on this. He will know that we have just announced some new programming to mitigate the enormous number of road traffic accidents around the world. It is not just our money but our technical support that is allowing that to happen.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

T8. Will the Secretary of State take note of World Vision’s campaign on behalf of children in conflict, “It Takes A World”?

[Penny Mordaunt]

I will certainly do that. I praise World Vision for the campaign and all the work it does. Children in conflict zones are a priority for my Department, and I would also like to put on the record our thanks to the Evening Standard for its War Child fundraising appeal.