European Union Bill (Programme)(No. 2)

Douglas Carswell Excerpts

Monday 24th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Charlie Elphicke]

I defer to you, Mr Deputy Speaker, and apologise for using language that was perhaps too simple. Of course, the amendment could not be a wrecking amendment; it is an amendment that would bring destruction on the Government’s intent and purpose in the Bill. I hope that I remain in order with that description.

I agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Harwich and North Essex (Mr Jenkin), who makes an important point about the time that is needed to discuss the purpose of referendums and whether we should have a national debate—perhaps a referendum?—on whether to hold an in/out referendum. It seems that we will not have time to discuss that today. I hope that, at some point—perhaps not in the Bill, but sometime—the House will be able to discuss that properly.

[Mr Douglas Carswell (Clacton) (Con)]

Will my hon. Friend share with the House whether his Whip asked him to take part in the debate?