01/02/2017 House of Commons

want to make sure that my constituents and businesses in

particular, which I do think the somewhat ignored any debates so far,

I going to be able to feed in their views in a more systematic way. If

were going to be leaving the European Union, we must not delay

further. To do so would frustrate our European friends and allies and

weaken our negotiating hands. I would like to clarify quickly, with

the Government in relation to the final vote, I'm worried as the

Supreme Court ruled to put this Bill forward, I wonder how the court

would rule if the Government used probative powers to approve no deal.

I will be voting to trigger article 52 night and I implore other members

to do the same. Given the short time available to me, I will restrict my

remarks. EU nationals and the single market in aviation isn't issue

important to my constituency. Instead of straight and says from

the Government, EU nationals living in the UK have only heard empty

words from the Tories. When my caseworkers in constituency office

is a woman born in Finland, she studied at Glasgow University and is

extremely upset that she is being used as a bargaining tool in the

story Brexit game that very few in Scotland wanted to play in the first

place. Other constituents have been in touch to allay their fears that

Brexit me rip their families apart. Regarding EU immigration and the

rate to remain is already harming the UK and will continue as long as

the Tories refused to confirm the rate of you national to remain in

the UK. It will impact businesses across these islands. One sector

that has not been given the attention it deserves in the

aviation sector. This vital part of the economy contributes ?1 billion a

week and ?9 billion in taxation. It is the third-largest aviation sector

in the world. Largely as a result of the agreement between the US and the

EU. By leaving the EU, the UK what sweet from these hugely important

agreements. An agreement that accounts for a lot of aviation

traffic. This is vital in Scotland. The Tories Rex dot-mac reckless

gamble will cause a serious impact on the Scottish economy. -- the

Tories' reckless gamble. Not the first time, we know what the

Scottish Government plan to do with the powers within its remit, but

what of the UK Government? Canny minister tellers the UK Government

want to remain part of the aviation agreement, and can he ensure that

the aviation will not suffer as a result of this. The 1 million people

in Renfrewshire whose jobs rely on a thriving aviation are watching

worried. The Government needs to guarantee that these statutory rates

will be protected, if she doesn't, she must offer a different path to

those living and working in Scotland. Yet our children's future,

yes for Scotland, yet independent. I agree with the honourable gentleman

who said that this was a debate he hopes would never happen and the

vote he hoped would never happen. I am a strong remain and I campaigned

hard for us to stay in the EU and I still think that our future would be

better off within it, but I do recognise the result of the British

people who have voted for Brexit. But I also recognise that my germ

constituency, in line with many university cities voted strongly to

remain. Madam Deputy Speaker, I was worried about the results on the

23rd of June. The north east is only 1.6% of its population are

foreign-born and hardly any of them live in Derham, and yet in the

campaign immigration was the most commonly cited reason for putting

me. It rose from people feeling like their views were not been taken into

account and that the access to jobs and services were diminishing. Not

least because of the posterity policies of the parties office it

did vital resources out of those most in need. -- posterity policies.

We have to tackle xenophobia and racism and we have to change our

immigration policies, but I hope we found a way of doing that without

simply withdrawing from the single market, because that will create as

many problems as it solves. We also had for decades of negative press

about Europe and it was impossible to overturn that within a few months

and make the positive case, not only for the EU, but for upholding human

rights and active participation in global institutions that do so much

to maintain peace and great prosperity in the world. I hope they

continue to have that international outward looking approach that we

need and reject the policies of Donald Trump and isolationism. I was

brave pleased that my constituency voted to remain, because the impact

of Brexit on the north-east is huge. We have a positive balance of trade,

with 58% of our exports going to Europe. We have no idea whether that

will continue if trade buyers arise and we need to hear more from the

governments on our automated industries, Aaron universities,

manufacturing and those in receipt of ES F and RDF funds. That would

create stability. They voted largely to remain, about how the Government

is going to deliver a more prosperous country. That's why we

need to adopt the amendments of labour and assure that we have a

vote on the final Brexit deal. Madam Picardy Speaker, I want to recognise

that my constituents in remain, but recognise that the country voted for

Brexit and I'm going to add steam this evening. Last summer I walked

through the fields of the Somme, I walked along the beaches of

Normandy, and you cannot ask yourself how did we get here?

History teachers as it was a failure of institutions, economics,

relationships, the rise of populism and nationalism. Because of that

Madam Deputy Speaker, I was and still am inspired by Europe what is

achieved for all its faults and many of those was popular during the

referendum, the alternative it represented junior Cold War, the

alternative to Balkans water and the opportunities for hope it

represented. I understand and I respect the mass majority of those

who voted to leave, but my constituency voted overwhelmingly to

remain and because of my constituents, my conscience and the

facts I see before me, I will vote against the triggering of article 52

nights of the amendment and also against the programme motion. No

doubt the Bill will go through and I will also seek to amend it. The

result will respect the referendum. -- Article 50. To stand up for the

48%, to stand up in the sovereign Parliament and challenge this

Government to its approach. The Government has no plan in contrast

to the plan set out by the First Minister of wheels. There is no

guarantee that Wales will not be worse off, no guaranteed of access

to the single market that is so crucial to business and jobs in my

constituency. The Government that has provided no assurances that

powers will not be taken away from Wales and I rates removed. A

Government that has given no reassurance to European nationals

living in my constituency. We are told the optimistic, and I have no

doubt that the British and Welsh people will find their way through

however difficult things become. We have done so sunny times before, but

I have to be honest, I fear that people concerns about immigration

are far from being resolved and will not be resolved by leaving the

European Union. I fear that many who felt left behind will continue to

feel left behind with the Government in place who is arguing some sort of

bargain basement economy and is running across to the United States,

throwing themselves before Donald Trump. I fear the purists will

continue to suffer and what then? Who will be blamed next? The Prime

Minister said today that she is a reader, but the truth is she is a

follower. She is following the siren calls of a select group on her

benches to a reckless Brexit. Now she is following the belief of a

president with Fallon she does not share. -- with the values. There is

not just one route, and we have to think very hard about where we had.

The Honourable member for Nottingham North who is not here just now,

spoke earlier about the future and the big impact in this Bill for

future generations affecting the prosperity of her children and young

people, our young men and women and in the Highlands this is in

particularly sharp focus. For generations, we have had all young

people leaving the Highlands to seek their future. Until we have the

Scottish Parliament, until we had the engagement of the European Union

and the University of the Highlands and Islands is now celebrating 20

years of EU corporation that has allowed us to have that very much

needed symbol in the Highlands, eight as a goal University campus in

Inverness. And that, amongst other things, our core operation with

Europe has helped address that decline. As have EU nationals. And I

was struck by the words of the Honourable member for Hampstead and

Kilburn earlier, because I agree that those people who come to our

country ads. They are our friends, neighbours and deserve to be treated

as such. Under the current direction of the UK Government, that all

changes. We are scrabbling about free deals, any deals. No Stone

unturned, no matter who is underneath it. Holding hands with

Donald Trump, legitimising his exclusion and rising xenophobia. All

of this clearly saying it is warehouse for children, dogma before

doctrines and the alternative of a rock-hard Brexit is a change of

course. If not for the UK, then for our universities. For people but in

a blue difficult position, like those bubble in Gibraltar. But of

course is of the people of Scotland, who voted for a 62% to remain, 100%

of all the council areas. There is a choice of all the council areas.

There is the choice for this Parliament.

Has the member noticed a shiver running up the Labour front bench

looking for a spine to run up? I thank my honourable friend for his

contribution and I hope the Labour front bench and members will follow

the example of some of those I have referenced and vote against Article

50 tonight. If there are exceptions for borders with Ireland, exceptions

for Nissan, exceptions for the City, there is a choice. People in the

Highlands, people in Scotland, what hope for the future, they want to

see future conditions reflecting our nation, a bighearted, open-minded

cooperative future for all one they come from to contribute to a better

society and are valued. An enlightened future and not an

insulated Little Britain dragging us into the darkness.

I am going to vote against triggering Article 50 tonight. I am

going to do that as a patriots who believes in Britain and as a

Democrat who believes profoundly in parliamentary democracy. I will do

so in my view in the interests of my children and my constituents and my

country and in support of my convictions. I do not believe the

Brexit course we are now set on will make Britain a more prosperous,

fairer, more equal, tolerant country. I believe it will make our

politics meaner and it will make our country pool. All the optimism and

jingoism from the opposite benches there have been many terrific

speeches, I cannot credit the notion of the best way to make Britain a

successful trading nation is to withdraw from the most

sophisticated, global market the world has ever seen. I, believe

standing here in London and the heart of the most global,

cosmopolitan trading city, the world has ever seen, we will enhance our

chances of improving our economy by cutting of this city from the other

great cities around Europe. I cannot believe our economy will improve and

cannot believe the constituents I represent will be well served by

this and in fact if harder Brexit, rock-hard Brexit, now proposed comes

to pass I am convinced it will be constituents like mine in

working-class communities in this country who will be hit hardest. If

it is the alternative version she is Europe with, they will be hit harder

still. -- she is threatening Europe with. It is about the values that

are in jeopardy in our country and across the world. We are a liberal,

top, European Enlightenment economy and the society and those great

British values that Labour has spoken for for so long, are at risk

today. This Brexit vote began with immigration. The man in charge of it

said it was their baseball bat and they simply needed to pick up to

bring in the vote. It ended with the member for Rushcliffe saying the

Tory party is now an anti-immigrant party. It has ended with the Prime

Minister hand in hand with a racist president of the United States. Are

those my values or might values those of Angela Merkel who had to

ring him up to tell him he was wrong? I know when I think this

country stands on this issue and I know that unless we do think again

we are going down a very, very dangerous path.

Eight few brief points about this bill. Politics Europe is a net

beneficially -- Wales is a net beneficiary from the EU and in

liberal constituencies like mine this funding makes an impact the way

beyond what this figure implies. For rural communities the common

agricultural policy is the most important financial contribution the

EU makes. Yet the party opposite stand ready to switch off these

vital support mechanisms essential to our already isolated communities

with no indication of how they will make good the damage or even whether

they intend to. I would like to turn to spend a few sentences exploring

the increasingly divisive and most misused word freedom. It was take

back control dominated the league campaign's propaganda... The freedom

to and the freedom from an opposing and disputed understandings of

liberty that arguably underpin the political divide for centuries,

however, if we strip away much of the Leave campaign's divisive

rhetoric we find it is the dogmatic belief in a freedom from Brussels

that explains their opposition to the EU. In their view now that we're

free of them the sun will never set on our shores.

I think it is a great discourtesy you're not being listened to by some

in this chamber. I am finding her speech very good indeed.

I am most grateful for that intervention. Many of us have waited

and we do not have many days to discuss this and many a witted as we

were required to in this chamber and the least we can do is listen to

each other's contributions. For -- from what I be truly free? Workers'

rates and employment protections, free from greater unity with our

neighbours, free from progress? Our so-called freedom from the EU will

undermine our freedom to, our freedom to achieve our potential.

Our businesses will not have the freedom to export and import the

goods rely on, our children will face greater challenges to work and

live in the countries we have freedom to enjoy unfettered. To take

back control we have given nothing but the illusion of control. -- we

have gained nothing but the illusion of control. My party will always

work in the national interest Wales and so my colleagues and I will vote

against this bill on the ground the Government has failed to ensure

Wales' national interests. In terms of our economy, the role of our

divorce legislation, these are disregarded in this modulation. --

devolve legislation. I am confident the people of Wales did not vote for

property or for our economy to bear the brunt of a Brexit. -- did not

vote for poverty. One of the more bizarre aspects of

the discussion since the letter and has the way -- has been the way the

people who won the 11 have tried to explain what it means by reference

to those who lost. We are told even though it was not on the ballot

paper the vote is a vote to leave the single market because David

Cameron suggested it might be. I did to your David Cameron suggest that

but I also heard every time he did so the Leave campaign accused him of

hyperbole and say it was not true. We have a real possibility in this

country now that the political rights may hijack that mandate from

the 23rd of June last year and use it to reconfigure our society and

economy in a way that most right minded people in this country would

find abhorrent. What stands between them and that outcome is this

Parliament. That is why it is so important we should not give this

Government a blank cheque, a carte blanche to do as it will as it tries

to interpret what happens next and that is why we should have fought

for the reasoned amendment and I can say we are not going ahead until you

explain the consequences of making that decision. I welcome very much

the support from other parties and many Labour members. I want to

implore the Labour front bench to reconsider their attitude on this.

Do not give the Tory Government a blank cheque on this matter, that is

not the historic responsibility of the opposition and it is not the

democratic requirement of the opposition. Please do not do it.

As I have been sitting here I heard from yet another worry EU national

in my constituency so does my honourable friend agreed this

Government really must sort this out and treat our friends and neighbours

with respect and dignity and listen to the Scottish Government.

I completely agree and that is another fine example of why we

should not get on the bus until we know the destination. On these

benches be determined not to do that but we also are determined to argue

what that destination should be. My colleagues have already talked about

the report published by the Scottish Government on Stockton's place in

Europe post Brexit and I would commend -- Scotland's place. I would

encourage colleagues to read that document. It may surprise you. It is

published by a Government that believes in an independent Scotland

and an independent nation within the EU and yet that document argues for

neither of those things. It is a massive compromise, an olive branch,

an attempt to make goodwill inside this post Brexit world let us try

and find unity and consensus. What that means is one size does not fit

all in a country the size, it means they should be differential

arrangement in Scotland as to what happens next for two very simple

reasons. One, the material consequences of a Brexit are

materially different in Scotland and, too, the attitude of the

electorate and the people of Scotland is different. You can do

that, the Government can do that, and accommodate the wishes of the

Scottish people and the Scottish Government and achieve a situation

where there is some sort of sense of things post Brexit and the views of

the Scottish people are respected. That brings the back and I want to

finish on what other colleagues have spoken about, this debate is not

without context in Scotland. In 2014 in the Scottish referendum we were

promised to things. One, as mentioned, the best way to keep our

European passport would be to vote to stay in the UK and secondly, we

were promised a vote to stay in the UK would not mean the views of

Scotland would be debited and absorbed into our bigger neighbour

to the south but they would be respected. -- views of Scotland

would be absorbed. Let us see in the month, if respect remains cashback

respect means respect. I am going to raise the speech limit

to four minutes. Madam Deputy Speaker, I hope I am

wrong, but I believe the decision the country took on the 23rd of June

will be the biggest self-inflicted wound since our disastrous

intervention in Iraq. This is the wounds that this festering and will

leave the UK permanently economically weaker, even once it

has healed. When Members of Parliament to believe a course of

action is going to be a catastrophe, I believe Members of Parliament have

a duty to hurry, a sale and oppose the Government, not to acquiesce. I

respect those who voted yes, that's back those who voted to leave. They

had genuine grievances about concerns or changes they see in our

society, indeed, concerns about immigration. Those four Brexit

claimed leaving the EU would address these concerns, stop the

cancellation of urgent hospital operations paid for, presumably, by

the tsunami of cash coming to the NHS post Brexit. They will improve

teacher shortages in schools and boost housing supply. It will not.

It will not do any of these things, in fact, it will make them worse.

And the Leave campaign's most prominent pledge to reduce

immigration substantially, I doubt either that will be achieved. Why

would it be? After all, the Prime Minister has spent many years

seeking to reduce the level of non-EU immigration and nothing

changed there. What leaving the EU will do with certainty is diminish

us as a nation. Reduce our influence and international standing and that

is already happened. Brexit has forced our Prime Minister, a

born-again hardline Brexit supporter to walk hand-in-hand with Donald

Trump. While Canada and EU leaders condemned his plan our Prime

Minister's initial response was to say, not my business. And she

immediately offered him a state visit. Far quicker than any other US

president. I am sure this has nothing to do with the Prime

Minister's desperation to secure a trade deal, any deal, with the

protectionist Tromp. In the Are Of The Deal Tromp says the worst of

times often brings the best of times to make good deals. To translate the

worst of pounds for the UK is great the best of times for a deal for the

US. -- the worst of times for the UK.

I will not give way. The proposition is very clear. The people voted for

departure, not destination. Now the Government must give them a chance

to vote on the destination and with that guarantee, if it is forthcoming

tonight, I would vote with the Government. Is bestial thanks for

this extra minute, I really appreciate it. What we are voting on

tonight, it says on the paper that we are just voting on the Article 50

Bill, but what we are voting on is consigning the UK to it with red,

white and blue Brexit. -- a special thanks. Anyone voting

on Article 50 tonight is consigning us to a red, white and blue Brexit

shaped by the Conservative Party and I could not in good conscience do

that and I cannot believe that other members on this side of the Chamber

could do that in good conscience. We are looking at the future, we're

looking 20 years into the future when my children will be young

adults, we're looking at a future where young people will not be able

to easily travelled to EU countries. They will not be able to marry

people from EU countries for fear that they will not be allowed to

live in the same country. They will not be able to afford the same

living standards that we have. There will be an erosion of the standards

of, for example, food quality that we have, because we are going to

have two, my son I standards in order to have traded deals with

countries like America. We're going to have a loss of farming in the UK.

In loss of farming into amenities like Wales and Scotland that rely

heavily on mats, that have a huge amount of EU Common agricultural

policy and the money coming in. And also that rely on the high standard

and the lack of ability of countries to import cheap foreign projects. We

are going to lose that. In 20 years' time, we are still going to be

negotiating trade deals. We do not have the capacity within this

Government, we do have the skills within the civil service, to

negotiate the trade deals that we need to negotiate in a short period

of time. They take a long time to come through. The economy will be

scuppered. We will see high levels of inflation, people struggling for

a living standards, a paper came out today that said in 2021, the lowest

earning quarter of households will have their income reduced by five to

15%. The highest earning households will have the income raised by 4%.

This is the Tory Brexit and this is only five years in the future. 20

years in the future, things will be even worse. Productivity will be

further tanked. It is rubbish in the UK. Increases in productivity are

linked. My children will have to work more hours than I have had to

down the same wages. Nott I wonder if my honourable friend agrees with

me that Brexit is in fact an economic catastrophe waiting to

happen. I absolutely agree with my colleague and I think that there are

too many members in this House who have not done on work en masse.

There are too many members in this House that see the positives for the

elite few. They see those positive and don't the B return to the 80s,

the decimation of the Thatcher 's years that we saw. That is what is

coming. That is where we are heading. The validity plans amid

Tory Government. But we would get this plan to have low taxes, some

sort of tax haven. No country that is a tax haven is a country that

spends as much on public services as we do. They are all ones that spend

a very small amount of public services. Is this the way that the

Tories are suggesting we go? What will happen to the NHS if that is

the case? The great repeal Bill will show that this is a Government power

grab. We have been protected from the worst excesses of these right

wing governments by the European Union. They have protected our

workers' rights, they have protected the equalities, they have detected

climate change was for example. Now, the Tory Government and the

unelected Lords are going to be able to dictate to this country all of

the laws. They are not even owing to get the benefits we said we would

get. These Edwin Poots be exempt from state aids. The Government has

rules in relation to state aid. The worst thing of all, the very worst

thing about this, is that in 20 years' time when my children are

young adults, we will be a less tolerant, a more xenophobic society,

because instead of tackling the discrimination and prejudice this

House has pander to it. CHEERING

A referendum that Scotland did not want, a Government that Scotland did

not vote for and the result that does not reflect the wishes of the

people of Scotland. This Government, whose state policy was to keep as

the single market is taking us towards the Brexit door at breakneck

speed. Can I say, Madam Deputy Speaker, debentures opposite have

been waxing lyrical over the past couple of days about this wonderful

opportunity we have had to debate this issue since yesterday. Can I

remind them that they had to be taken to court to be given us this

opportunity to have this debate. Can remind them they spent an off a lot

of money trying to stop this debate happening in the first and can I

also remind them they had to be forced into coming up to with a

white paper. Suffice to say, the Government isn't handling Brexit

very well at all. Just like the disastrous policy to bazooka

austerity at all costs, this Government is pursuing Brexit at all

costs. We were told how Scotland should vote to keep Scotland in the

EU. The people of Scotland have not forgotten the promises they were

made on the other side must come up with answers. When David Cameron

gave his first keynote speech of the campaign, he talked about the UK

having one of the most stable economies in the world and this was

hugely attractive for investors. He took about as having real clout in

Europe. It David Cameron was right, we have gone from a country at the

centre of Europe to one in the periphery. From demonstrating

solidarity with our great allies in France and Germany and beyond to

begging for scraps from the table of President Donald Trump. A downward

spiral if ever there was one. It is not simply that we are seeking to

walk away from the table, but many members opposite seems intent on

burning our bridges on the way out. They seem to have forgotten the

language they have used it isn't higher debate about the EU nationals

who they think are a drain on this country, yet want to do deals with

their governments. What kind of negotiations are you going to enter

into on that basis? Tonight, I will be joining my excellent colleagues

and some of those on the Labour benches to vote against this Bill

and I will do so, because that is what the majority of my constituents

want, because Scotland was promised continued EU membership if we

remained in the UK and because this Government is attempting to leave

the EU in a haphazard and absolutely reckless way without regard to the

constitutional, social or economic consequences. We are not prepared to

let them take Scotland over that cliff with them. Thank you, Madam

Deputy Speaker and first of all me I offer you my congratulations on

juggling what has been an excessively busy day in this place.

I am proud to follow so many passionate and eloquent speakers on

both sides, although I do not necessarily agree with them all. As

my constituents from Somerset, home to that famous roads and the

Wellington Monument and Somerset cricket, as they know, I did

personally campaign to remain, but the majority of my constituents

voted to leave. By 52 to 48 and since then, I've been very clear

that I will stand by the views of the people and I will work to make

the very rest of this brave new opportunity... Of course, I will

give way. Does she agree with me that it is important that we respect

the vote that took place in May and that she is correctly doing that?

The point I'm making is that I do respect this. And I think it's very

important that we illustrate that we are abiding by the wishes of the

people. We would be pure parliamentarians indeed if we did

not stick to what we promised. To this end, I shall be supporting this

historic Bill, which was set in train the triggering of Article 50

and our subsequent withdrawal from the EU. I want to express my respect

for all those people who did vote remains and I do appreciate their

concerns about 12 acknowledge that and I will be doing my very best as

well my colleagues in the size, daddy did outcome. -- to have a good

outcome. Waxing lyrical about the happy constitutional system that was

known in this country until 1972, it is now time to put our shoulders to

the wheel and make this work. The Secretary of State exiting the EU,

singling out one or two industries for fair treatment, particularly the

finance industry and in water industry. I would urge the same

fairness is given to the all important agricultural and

environmental sectors. With 25% of all businesses in the UK being in

the farming, food and ink sectors, this is essential. Of course, I will

give way. Does she agree with me that just as making sure that

agriculture is central to our negotiations, food standards as part

of that are absolutely critical as well. I thank my honourable friend

forgiving way and there are a whole raft of standards that I really

critical as we leave Europe and that we should embrace and harness those

standards that are already set and we should indeed tailor them to

improve them for a nation and is to make them much more suitable for the

way that we want operates. These industries of agriculture and food,

especially important in the south-west. Southwest form related

businesses turn over ?2.7 billion. More than any other area in the

country and agriculture in the Southwest employees 80,000 people.

In re formulating our life after the EU, I really urge that we consider

very carefully how going to move forward. There are opportunities to

develop a better framework, to develop an agricultural industry

inexplicably linked to the environment in a sustainable way

that after all we all depend on Friday, water and for our food, and

to build this into an industrial strategy, causing linking it with

our 25 year food and farming plans. Making it work for the economy and

also for our role, social fabric. So that we have a world that works

better for everybody. I urge the Secretary of State to harness the

shared environmental legislation that we already have from the EU and

that we take it on board and adapted to make it work better for

ourselves. That we keep our climate change commitments and I'm delighted

that the Prime Minister has already spoken out on this issue, that we

maintain as my honourable friend mentioned, our high standards of

food security, are high sense of welfare, our nuclear standards and

indeed we consider how we are going to deal with their seasonal workers,

so that I industries can storm forward. With understanding,

co-operation, consideration and demonstrating that we are listening

to the people. Not just in time to and even, but across the nation. I

am optimistic that we can build a better future for generations to

come and to this end, I should be voting with the Government to

trigger Article 50. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Our democracy is

representative. It is a great representative democracy. But the

reason this place will, and should, support this Article 50 Bill is that

prior to the referendum, we made a contract with the British people but

this place would abide by the result. And I think I would ask all

members who are thinking of voting against their second reading

together that due concern. It needs commitment by the Government and

many in the Opposition benches also agree to that and so I very much

look forward to supporting Article 50 tonight and I then look forward

to my right honourable friend the Prime Minister at negotiating over

at to a two-year period and in the end getting as good a deal as

possible, but if this place is that not a good deal, then the rules hold

no fear for many of us on these benches. No deal is better than a

bad deal. Your can I focus on a couple

inconvenient truths during the course of this debate? To the Labour

benches, I would suggest that all the talk of parliamentary democracy

and scrutiny is fine, but for those that were here in 2008 I do not

remember too much scrutiny when we ought the Government of the day

passed through the house the Lisbon Treaty. It was done very quickly and

in fact the Prime Minister of the day I do not think was even present

in the debate. For all the talk of parliamentary scrutiny is sacrificed

large chunks of our sovereignty that day and it is a great shame Labour

now suggesting they are the guardians of parliamentary democracy

when it was pretty thin on the ground at the time with the Lisbon

Treaty. I pay tribute to all the work the

honourable gentleman down on the campaign. When he talks about

democracy summer suit the result was too close, but does he agree with me

at Members of Parliament have won their parliamentary seats by one

vote not a single one would turn that down to come here and take

their seats like this and so they should accept the result because the

public have decided and we should enact that?

I very much agree with my friend. It is very clear the first past the

post system you abide by the results.

On the point of abiding by the result, well the honourable

gentleman recognise the challenges that sometimes colleagues on the

other side of the chamber will have an walking through the lobby with us

today and appreciate the efforts they have taken to honour the wishes

of their constituents? Absolutely. This is not going to be an easy

decision for Labour but at the end of the day a contract was made and

it should be respected. Can either gently point the finger at the SMP

-- can either the gently point the finger at the SNP because for all

the talk about wishing to remain within the EU, the bottom line as

had they won their independence referendum they would have left the

EU. The EU made that very clear. And what is more, there was no automatic

right of re-entry and they would have had to have taken on the euro

in that process. So for all the talk about being a good European, if it

was left to them Scotland would have left the EU. Can I just point then

the time but is allowed just be a few more inconvenient truths. I have

heard it said many times on the benches opposite about how we're

going to become a intolerant country, emigration has been raised

by several speakers with regard to us leaving the EU. I would suggest

to them by leaving the EU we will no longer discriminate against the rest

of the world which the present immigration policy does. They may

not like it in the SMP but it is a fact we cannot stop anybody coming

in from Europe but we do stop the rest of the world coming in to the

UK because no country in the Western world has an unlimited or

nonexistent immigration policy. So for all the talk on the opposition

benches, by leaving the EU, whatever the criteria we choose to guide our

immigration policy, it will be fair to the whole world, not just to a

particular region. No region will be discriminated against. And that is

the point, whatever the criteria, there will be fairness and you will

not be discriminated against depending on where you come from.

That is a further inconvenient truth. It has hardly been touched

upon in this debate. People suggest we are suddenly going to become an

economic backwater by leaving the EU. I can assure the house that if

you look at the growth rates across the western world the EU remained in

the global economic slow lane with shamefully high youth unemployment

to match. There is a world out there are growing much faster than the EU

and we need to embrace that future. So I very much look forward to us

winning this vote two nights and ask the Prime Minister to do what she

can to negotiate as good a deal as possible but not to be afraid to

fall back on WTO rules if there is a bad deal on the table because there

is a very bright future ahead of us. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

This has been an important debate with MPs from every region and

nation, towns and cities, rural, coastal, industrial and agricultural

communities having their say. So many contributions of quality it

would be impossible to mention them all. This is how Parliament is meant

to work. Members sent here to speak for their constituents and settled,

if not always agree, the way forward. Usually, MPs listen to the

arguments, so count of the impact of a decision on our constituents and

apply the values of our party and our hearts. Then we vote

accordingly. As the member for Ilford North said in his outstanding

speech, this decision is different. This decision follows a referendum.

And 52% voted to leave the EU. A close vote but a clear decision. We

accept the outcome of the referendum. Therefore, we must

consent to allow the process of leaving the European Union to begin.

And we will hold this Government to accounts every step of the way. Our

challenge to this Government through our amendments, is to enable this

house to have proper scrutiny, to publish regular reports, to allow

British MPs the same oversight as members of the European Parliament.

And to ensure a secure the position of EU nationals... In a minute. To

secure the position of EU nationals living in this country as a matter

of urgency. But, most important of all, to allow this house a

meaningful vote on our withdrawal agreement at the proper time. I give

way to the honourable gentleman. Given the many points made right

across these benches on the need for this bill to be amended, will the

honourable lady and her front bench friends be voting against the

destructive programme motion? -- restrictive programme motion.

I want this bill to proceed. Our amendments that will be discussed

next week are all reasonable request. I would appeal to those

members opposite, many of them who have spoken in support of a

parliamentary vote, I would appeal to all of those members opposite who

spoke in that way and to share our desire to see a constructive and

open process to consider voting in support of other amendments next

week. We are an outward looking, internationalist, pro-European

party. That will never, ever change. And that our determination to

collaborate with, to stand alongside and to work together, with our

European partners never be in doubt. These are British values. And I know

that to vote -- the vote to leave the European Union, as well as a

changing moods in other countries, has deepened the sense these values

we hold most dear are under threat. Tolerance, openness, cooperation,

solidarity. It is true the rise of the far right in Europe and the rise

of populism in the USA have left many of us who believe in those

values with an overwhelming sense of the political tide is against us.

But xenophobia, fear and isolationism are drowning out our

values of inclusion, hope and tolerance and it is more important

than ever to stand firm beside those values. Bigotry, fanaticism and

narrow-mindedness should have no place in our politics. There are

very few members of this house who do not feel any trepidation

whatsoever about the future. To deny the complexity, the risks to our

manufacturing and service sectors, the destruction and uncertainty that

doubtless lie ahead, is to hide from the truth. -- the this disruption.

The truth can be dealt with and overcome. It is precisely because

this process is so complex all of us need to complex to -- contribute to

resolving the issues we confront, and pretending these challenges do

not exist is negligent and the Labour Party will not neglect its

duty to challenge the Government when we think they are getting

Brexit wrong. I say to the Prime Minister, the best Brexit will never

come via a cliff edge. However much some of her backbenchers might wish

it. This must be a deal the consent of this house. If she and her

negotiators failed to achieve a deal worthy of our country they will not

achieve our consent. The Prime Minister must deliver the deal

claims that she can. MPEG and free trade, she said, Paris free trade.

-- impediment free trade. -- tariff free trade. A loving British

businesses becoming benefits to enjoy. -- delivering British

businesses. That is a good starting point but for the Labour Party that

aspiration is not enough. The Brits and the Labour Party wants to build

is confident in its place in the world. We want a Briton way outside

the EU we can protect British jobs by securing a deep trade deal with

the EU and remember, whatever deals we reach with other nations in the

future, an agreement with our closest neighbours will always be

the most important deal we do. Where we protect British citizens by

maintaining cooperation on justice and security we protect British jobs

by securing a good transitional deal and the Labour Party will use every

means possible to bring about the best Brexit for Britain. We will

fight for a future where business and industry thrived. Especially as

the member for Backley and spend, and a ROM, Sedgefield, the member

for Wirral South said, especially in our proud regions. We are in the

country of Brunel, Rosalind Franklin, Alan Turing, Michael

Faraday, Tim Peake. Our engineers and scientists and academics,

creatives, they need to flourish in this workshop of the world. And

Labour will work to ensure after Brexit our future as an ingenious,

innovative, imaginative and inspiring nation grows and is never

diminished. The British people voted to take back control. Control over

their lives and the Labour Party understand the anger expressed

through the vote to leave. Lope, lack of opportunities. -- low pay.

Insecure work and sit -- uncertain futures. A feeling of being remote

from decision making in Brussels. To all who voted for those reasons, I

say we hear you. Labour will stand up throughout the Brexit

negotiations for those who may have voted to leave but who did not vote

to be poorer. We will stand up, too, for those who voted to Remain. 48%

of voters cannot be marginalised or ignored.

Many, although the exact the outcome of the referendum, do not see a

prosperous future. The political value dot-mac battle now, much of

the honourable gentleman would like to run the battle just enjoyed,

centres on the times and the country we aspire to become. Labour is ready

to take on those who offer MTV assurance based on nothing but their

own dogmatic conviction. Brexit marks to work for all our

communities. -- Brexit must work for all our communities. Especially the

most disadvantaged and my party will step up and make sure the Government

fulfils its duty. As a former president of the United States, a

former President of the United States, Franklin D Roosevelt said to

the Democrats, ours must be a party of liberal thought, of planned

action, of enlightened international outlook, and of the greatest good to

the greatest number of citizens. And this is how we must precede! Not

fully 52%, not for the 48%, but for 100% of the people of Britain.

CHEERING Madam Deputy Speaker, may I start by

paying tribute to all the right honourable and honourable members

who have contributed to what my honourable friend, the member for

Sleaford and night hike in aim excellent maiden speech rightly

called an historic debate. Members of both sides of the house,

supporters of both leave and remain have spoken with passion and

sincerity and have been some outstanding contributions and

several times over the last two days, we have seen this House as is

very best. A wide range of issues has been raised over the course of

this debate and I will seek to address these in the time available

to me, but I hope that honourable members will forgive me if I do not

address everything a point made by every single Speaker. Let me be

clear, what we are considering is the most straightforward possible

Bill, a Bill which necessary is to implement the referendum result and

respect the judgment of the Supreme Court. It is positively not a

vehicle for determining the terms of the broader negotiations that will

follow. This Bill follows one of the largest democratic exercises in this

country's history. As pointed out by many memorable members, an issue

that has been central to political debate in this country for decades

was finally put to the people of the United Kingdom and the people made

their decision. We have heard repeatedly from honourable members

on both sides of this debate and on both sides of the house that they

fully respect and accept the referendum and its outcome. Today is

an opportunity for all of us to demonstrate that respect by

supporting this small, but important, Bill. In the time I have

available,... I will not give way, I hope you will forgive me. A number

of themes emerged during the course of the debate. First of all, the

referendum itself. Parliament voted overwhelmingly to put this to the

people. We must trust decision. The must be no attempt to remain inside

the EU. No attempt to rejoin it through the back door and second

referendum. As a fuel honourable members have urged. This country has

voted to leave the European Union and it is the duty of the Government

and of this House to make sure that we do precisely that. In the time

available, I cannot. Secondly, I would like to touch on the issue of

engagement with the devolved administrations, which has figured

strongly in this debate. Before and throughout the referendum campaign,

it was clear that the outcome would apply to the Hall of the United

Kingdom and that is what we are committed to deliver. We are

committed to securing the best deal for the call of the United Kingdom

in the interests of all of its constituent nations and regions. My

right honourable friend the Prime Minister has made clear her

determination to uphold and strengthen the union. We will

continue to engage with the devolved administrations are out the

established committees. We understand that there are unique and

diverse interests across the UK, in particular... I do not know why the

honourable gentleman does not understand, I am not taking his

intervention. In particular, Mr Speaker, we are wholly committed to

the Belfast at agreement and successors. We will work with the

Irish Government to maintain the Common travel area on the island of

Ireland are not return to the Borders of the past. We have

received under grateful to these submissions from the Scottish and

Welsh governments, which are being considered. That said, the Supreme

Court was clear in its judgment that triggering Article 50 is a reserved

matter for this Parliament. And that the devolved nations do not have a

veto. We have been clear that we will work very carefully to ensure,

as powers are reverted Brussels back to Britain, Iraq powers are returned

Westminster and the rate powers are passed to the devolved

administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. -- the correct

powers. EU citizens working and living in the United Kingdom, this

Government values and appreciate the role that they play in our economy

and in working in 80s. We are determined to provide as much

certainty as we can as soon as we can. That guaranteeing UK citizens

rates in the EU and in the UK is one of our immediate objectives in the

upcoming negotiations. To the EU citizens were living, studying and

working in the UK I say this, you will still be welcome in this

country, as we trust our citizens will continue to be welcome in

years. Moving on to the forthcoming negotiations, I want to repeat, that

whilst we are leaving the EU, we are not turning our back on Europe.

Point of order. What is the point in the Government coming here, reading

out a written statement to the house are not listening to interventions

from honourable members who have legitimate questions to ask the

Government benches. These debates will run for a long time to come,

but that is not a matter for the chair. Minister. Thank you, Mr

Speaker. I want to repeat their wealthy are leaving the EU, were not

turning our backs on Europe. We will be seeking a broad new partnership

outside of the single market with the EU. Including a bold and

ambitious trade agreement. We will retain strong relationships with our

European partners as we work together on issues such as security,

justice and migration. The honourable gentleman is reading an

excitable Zebedee. It has been made clear to him that the minister is

not giving way. We have made clear commitments to protect workers'

rights and we will ensure that the keep pace. All the workers' rights

that are enjoyed under EU legislation will be preserved by the

great repeal Bill and will be brought across into UK law. Let me

say this also, we have no plans to withdraw from the... Euratom and the

EU share a common institutional framework, including European court

of justice, decision making of the council. Making them uniquely

legally joined. Triggering Article 50 therefore also entails giving

notice to leave Euratom. The nuclear industry is of key strategic

importance to the UK and we have been clear that this does not affect

our intention to maintain close and effective arrangements relating to

civil nuclear operation, safeguards and safety with Europe and the rest

of the world. Let me move on to the role of Parliament. My right

honourable friend the Prime Minister set out our plan for the United

Kingdom's withdrawal in her speech at Lancaster house and she has

confirmed that Parliament will have its say on the final deal we achieve

with the European Union by putting that deal to a vote of houses. There

has already been extensive scrutiny in both houses and we will be

publishing our white paper tomorrow before a committee stage. It is

however it entirely separate from this Bill, which is simply about

giving Government the power to trigger the process of exit from the

EU in accordance with the instructions we have received from

the people of this country. There has already been, there has also

been much debate over the last two days about the many opportunities

that leaving the EU for the UK. As my right honourable friend the Prime

Minister has said, we will be an outward facing, bald and global

country, seeking ambitious trade deals, forging new friendships and

consolidating existing partnerships and we will remain a tolerant and

open country. The triggering of Article 50 will start the process of

our withdrawal from the European Union, during which this House will

have plenty of opportunities to debate and play a crucial role in

scrutinising the great repeal Bill and related bills to come. My right

honourable friend has set out a detailed plan for building a new

partnership between an independent United Kingdom and the European

Union in years to come and let me say how much I agree with the right

honourable lady. Let me say how much I agree with the honourable lady

that people have made their decision and now we must strive for an

outcome that as she says, works not just for the 52% or the 48%, but for

the 100%. All of us in this House must work together in the national

interest, but let me repeat, tonight we are not voting on the outcome,

nor on the wider issues, but simply to start the process. It is

absolutely essential that Parliament now move quickly, with a timetable

but this House has already voted for in December to trigger Article 50 by

the end of March. In short, Mr Speaker, this is a straightforward

Bill that delivers on the promise made by the people of the United

Kingdom to honour the outcome of the referendum. We must trust the people

and I commend this builds a house. Order. The quest meant is that the

amendment be made, ayes. Clear the lobby.

-- As many as are of the opinion, say "aye". To the contrary, "no".

Question is at the amendment be. As many as are of the opinion, say

"aye". To the contrary, "no".. Tellers for the ayes...

The ayes to the right, 100. The noes to the left 336.

The ayes to the right, 100. The noes to the left, 336. So the noes have

it. The noes habit. Unlock! The question is that the bill be now

read a second time. As many as are of the opinion, say "aye". To the

contrary, "no".. Division! Clear at the lobby!

The question is the Bill now be wrote a second time. As many as are

of the opinion, say "aye". To the contrary, "no".. Tellers for the

ayes. Tellers for the noes.

I say to the little baby, don't be sheepish about it, the little baby

is welcome to come in. There is no problem.