Leaving the EU Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Leaving the EU

James Cartlidge Excerpts
Monday 9th July 2018

(5 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Theresa May Portrait The Prime Minister
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No, we are not going to extend article 50. We have a timetable; we are working to it; and we will leave on 29 March 2019.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I call James Cartlidge.

James Cartlidge Portrait James Cartlidge
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Oh, thank you, Mr Speaker.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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The hon. Gentleman does not have to look quite so surprised to be called. He was standing. It is very good to know that he knows his own name. I called him, and the House, and perhaps the nation, wish to hear him.

James Cartlidge Portrait James Cartlidge
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The largest employer in my constituency is Philips AVENT, the baby care company, which employs 1,500 people. At the weekend, its chief executive made it clear that in the event of a hard Brexit that plant could close, which would be a massive shock to my local economy. May I say to my right hon. Friend that, although there is a lot of excitement about certain jobs being lost in this place, I will be supporting her negotiating position because it prioritises the jobs that matter—those of our constituents?

Theresa May Portrait The Prime Minister
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The route that we are taking is a route that delivers on Brexit and delivers on the vote of the British people, but does so in a way that protects jobs and livelihoods and maintains the other commitments that we have made. My hon. Friend is absolutely right: people talk about things in this House, but it is the jobs of our constituents that we should be concerned about.