European Council Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

European Council

Alec Shelbrooke Excerpts
Monday 21st June 2010

(13 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton Portrait The Prime Minister
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I do not want to sound uncharitable, but I remember that the last Conservative Government negotiated the opt-out from the single currency that gave us the ability to stay out of the single currency, and I pay tribute to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, who, in difficult circumstances, made the argument against the single currency. What I remember, when the hon. Gentleman was sitting on the Government Benches rather than on the Opposition Benches, is the then Government wasted about £30 million on preparations for joining the euro. I could have given them that advice for free: do not join it.

Alec Shelbrooke Portrait Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con)
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May I congratulate the Prime Minister on showing some leadership in Europe once more—Britain is grateful—and will he confirm to the House and the public at large that, having drawn red lines in the sand on our position in this country, he will never give them up just to further his own career after the House?

Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton Portrait The Prime Minister
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Yes, I can confirm—[Interruption.]