Oral Answers to Questions

Julian Lewis Excerpts

Thursday 27th April 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Robin Walker]

We continue to urge all parties to come together so that the devolved Assembly can be restored and we can engage with all parties and communities in Northern Ireland to ensure that their views are represented throughout this period. Earlier this week I attended the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, where there was huge interest in maintaining strong and positive relations between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and the UK.

[Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con)]

How can any negotiator achieve any concession from any other negotiator if it is known in advance that he will not walk away if no concessions are given?

[Mr Davis]

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. He crystallises the point on “no deal is better than a bad deal”, and he clearly demonstrates why the Labour proposal, apart from being completely impractical, would never be deliverable.