Leaving the EU: Business of the House

Debate between Keir Starmer and Barry Sheerman

Wednesday 12th June 2019 Commons Chamber

[Keir Starmer]

rose—

[Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op)]

Before my right hon. and learned Friend moves on, will he give way?

--- Later in debate ---

[Keir Starmer]

I will take a double intervention.

[Mr Sheerman]

We have heard a lot about parliamentary democracy in the short time we have been having this debate, but this is surely about parliamentary sovereignty—our right to have a voice on all the great issues of state.

[Keir Starmer]

I absolutely agree with both interventions. That is why I started by saying that this motion makes a very simple proposition: that Parliament should not be shut out of the decision on no deal or shut out of the process altogether. I cannot think of why any parliamentarian would vote against that proposition—I genuinely cannot.

UK’s Withdrawal from the European Union

Debate between Keir Starmer and Barry Sheerman

Wednesday 13th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Keir Starmer]

Absolutely. They have real concerns about that, and they raise them regularly.

[Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op)]

I have great confidence in my right hon. and learned Friend, and he is making a very good speech. When this all started, those in my manufacturing sector were saying, “Surely, intelligent people on the Benches across the House could come to a solution.” They have now changed, and they are calling for me to push here for a second vote or a people’s vote.

[Keir Starmer]

I am grateful for that intervention, because it takes me to a point that was repeatedly made by the Secretary of State, which is that it is somehow somebody else’s fault that the deal is not going through and that the Government do not bear any responsibility for failing to bring the House with them.