Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Sammy Wilson Excerpts
Monday 8th April 2019

(5 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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My hon. Friend is correct: the legal date for us to leave the European Union is indeed this Friday, 12 April. However, he will also be aware that the Bill that is currently being discussed in the other place seeks to change the date of our departure, and that is the substance of the motion that will be discussed tomorrow should the Bill receive Royal Assent tonight.

Sammy Wilson Portrait Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) (DUP)
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Rather than the Government’s being condemned for being in contempt of the view of the House, should not the House recognise that, in passing the Bill, it is in contempt of the views of the vast majority of people in this country, because they voted to leave? The Bill seeks to undermine the UK’s ability to leave the European Union. The Leader of the House should not hang her head in shame for being disdainful to the House of Commons, because she is right to say that the Bill is a constitutional outrage, and also a democratic outrage.

Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. Not only is the Bill against our conventions, but it seeks to subvert the will of the people as expressed in the referendum in 2016. That is a great shame, and it does not do credit to this House.