Priorities for Government Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Priorities for Government

Rachael Maskell Excerpts
Thursday 25th July 2019

(5 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Boris Johnson Portrait The Prime Minister
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I absolutely endorse my hon. Friend’s campaign. We should be a meritocracy and people should be able to access jobs not according to who they know, but according to their talents. He is entirely right.

Rachael Maskell Portrait Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)
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The office of Prime Minister is accountable to this House, so detail is needed. Exactly what changes to the withdrawal agreement does he believe he can achieve?

Boris Johnson Portrait The Prime Minister
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I am grateful to the hon. Lady. The answer, I think, was contained in my statement. She will have heard it, along with the House. As a first step—let me put it that way—we need to get rid of the backstop. I listened to the debate. It was opposed by people on all sides of the House. If our friends and partners will see their way around to doing that, I believe we would be well on our way to solving the problems.