UK’s Relationship with the EU

Mark Durkan Excerpts
Tuesday 2nd February 2016

(8 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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I agree completely with my right hon. Friend.

Mark Durkan Portrait Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP)
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Does the Minister recognise that if and when a referendum happens on the basis of a deal that is still to be concluded, many of us will see the debate as being about the bigger issues, challenges and reasons, which point to staying in the EU, rather than about the issues in this package, which many of his hon. Friends are determined to belittle as something between a figment and a fig leaf?

David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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What is in the renegotiated package, assuming that we achieve it, will be an important element in the referendum debate, but it will not be the sole element. There are broader issues too. I agree with the hon. Gentleman that those are matters that both the major campaign groups will want to focus on.