Leaving the EU Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Leaving the EU

Marsha De Cordova Excerpts
Monday 14th January 2019

(5 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Theresa May Portrait The Prime Minister
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Scotland’s best economic interests—I suggest the hon. Gentleman looks at the figures—are met by remaining a member of the UK.

Marsha De Cordova Portrait Marsha De Cordova (Battersea) (Lab)
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Given today’s joint letter to the Prime Minister from Presidents Juncker and Tusk saying that the EU is

“not in a position to agree to anything that changes or is inconsistent with the Withdrawal Agreement”,

is it not the case that the Prime Minister has achieved nothing since pulling the meaningful vote on 10 December? In her own words, “nothing has changed”.

Theresa May Portrait The Prime Minister
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As I said earlier in response to a number of hon. Members, the concern that was expressed was about ensuring—[Interruption.] I am trying to answer the hon. Lady’s question. The concern people had within the House, overwhelmingly, was one of ensuring that the backstop would be temporary if it ever came into place. That is in the withdrawal agreement already, but the further assurances that we have received further confirm that. As I have said, the December Council conclusions do have legal force.