Leaving the European Union Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office
Tuesday 26th February 2019

(5 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Theresa May Portrait The Prime Minister
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My hon. Friend is absolutely right in saying that the Government have been very clear throughout all this that we believe that the best route for the United Kingdom is to leave the European Union with a deal. That will continue to be this Government’s position. I want to work to ensure that the situation she refers to does not arise because we are able to get that agreement in the meaningful vote and get a deal agreed.

Laura Smith Portrait Laura Smith (Crewe and Nantwich) (Lab)
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Can the Prime Minister explain how she intends to obviate the need for checks on rules of origin without accepting common external tariffs? Is it not the case that the only realistic way of meeting that commitment in the political declaration is to negotiate a new customs union with the EU?

Theresa May Portrait The Prime Minister
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We put forward proposals on how we could achieve that some months ago, and there will of course be a debate on the balance between alignment and checks when we come to the next stage of the negotiations.