Northern Ireland Backstop Debate

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Department: Attorney General

Northern Ireland Backstop

Paul Masterton Excerpts
Tuesday 19th February 2019

(5 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Robert Buckland Portrait The Solicitor General
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My hon. Friend has long been a keen student of these issues. He is absolutely right to warn us about the dangers of a no deal, which is why he, I and very many others have supported a deal. It is now time for all of us to do just that and end the uncertainty.

Paul Masterton Portrait Paul Masterton (East Renfrewshire) (Con)
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Is it not the case that the time for running around Europe with ambitious schemes that will not be accepted is over, that that simply increases the chances of a no-deal exit and that the requests for any changes need to be detailed and precise? So can my hon. and learned Friend confirm that the Government will be going in with a targeted micro-surgery approach, not trying to blast the withdrawal agreement with a scattergun?

Robert Buckland Portrait The Solicitor General
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I can assure my hon. Friend, who speaks with conviction and passion and serves his constituents admirably, that the Government will be taking a forensic approach. This is a detailed negotiation. The time for platitudes is long gone. We will be adopting his approach in the days ahead.