Leaving the EU: Workers’ Rights

Sam Gyimah Excerpts
Tuesday 29th October 2019

(4 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Sam Gyimah Portrait Mr Sam Gyimah (East Surrey) (LD)
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The Secretary of State’s words ring hollow simply because workers’ rights were in the legally binding withdrawal agreement and have now been moved into the political declaration. But her reassurances ring hollow for another reason: the logic of leaving the EU to look for new trade deals is that whatever we want will come at the price of what the other country wants. The desire for a US trade deal as a political trophy would that mean workers’ rights could be traded away. Can she assure us that that will not happen in our pursuit of a US trade deal, if the Prime Minister’s deal were to pass?

Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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I find that intervention from the hon. Gentleman, of all people, quite shameful. As an ex-Conservative Minister, he will be aware of the Government’s proud record of, and commitment to, enhancing workers’ rights and protections. It is disingenuous to suggest otherwise.