Brexit: European Commission Discussions

Lord Grocott Excerpts

Monday 9th July 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord Callanan]

The noble Lord will have to read the letter, which has been extensively publicised, on his reasons for resigning. We have always been clear on the policy we advocated. We have always accepted that, of course, there needs to be compromise on both sides if an agreement is to be reached. We think that we have made sensible and realistic proposals that provide a way forward, and we hope that the EU will now engage positively with them.

[Lord Grocott (Lab)]

Will the Minister confirm that, although there will doubtless be many comings and goings between now and next year, the essential truths remain: in line with the decisions of this House and the other place to implement Article 50, and to pass the European Union (Withdrawal) Act, come 29 March next year, both in European and UK law, we will have left the European Union?

[Lord Callanan]

As in so many of our recent debates, the noble Lord, of course, speaks great sense on these matters, and what he says is correct.