Exiting the European Union: Meaningful Vote

Joanna Cherry Excerpts

Tuesday 11th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Lidington]

I will give way to the hon. and learned Member for Edinburgh South West (Joanna Cherry), but then I will make some progress

[Joanna Cherry (Edinburgh South West) (SNP)]

I thank the right hon. Gentleman—he is being very generous. A moment ago, he said that the only way to take the risk of no deal off the table was to ratify the deal. I know that he is a very honest man. Surely he must acknowledge that there is a third way as a result of yesterday’s decision by the European Court of Justice, namely to revoke the article 50 notice. He may not wish to do that, but surely he will acknowledge that theoretically it is a third way to avoid the possibility of no deal.

[Mr Lidington]

The hon. and learned Lady is right: in the wake of the court’s decision, that is a legal and constitutional possibility. But the Prime Minister made it clear again yesterday that it is not the Government’s policy, and indeed not just my party but the Labour party committed last year to respect the result of the 2016 referendum.