The Prime Minister (Mrs Theresa
May):...Sixthly, the Leader of the Opposition’s
amendment appears to reject the backstop— even though businesses,
farmers and people from across the community in Northern Ireland
support this insurance policy. There is real anger in Northern
Ireland at the approach Labour is taking...
(Derby South)
(Lab):...As each of these problems emerges, I keep hearing
that it is all right because the Government will continue all this
investment—for example, to support our farmers—all on our own, so
clearly the Prime Minister has found another of those magic money
trees. Much of our consumption—for example, our food
consumption—relies on the frictionless trade that we now enjoy, so,
too, does modern manufacturing. Key goods and components are
perpetually whizzing around the European Union and back to the UK,
and thousands of jobs across Britain depend on this just-in-time
delivery. That is why I was appalled to hear the Prime Minister
announce, casually, that Britain would leave both the single market
and the customs union—and, what is more, that these were red
lines...
(Eltham)
(Lab):...The people who campaigned for
Brexit never said at any stage that things would be worse. They
accused opponents of being doom mongers and pedlars of “Project
Fear”. On 14 June, during the campaign, the Ministers of the Vote
Leave campaign wrote in a joint letter:
“There is more than enough money to ensure that those who now get
funding from the EU—including universities, scientists, family
farmers, regional funds, cultural organisations and others—will
continue to do so.”..
(St Ives) (Con):...We
have done untold damage to the sense of security of people whose
natural home is not the UK and who no longer feel welcome. I have
met several such people in my constituency, and I regret that
they were ever allowed to feel unwelcome. I also regret that,
even now, we have not truly clarified for our farmers, for our
health and social workers, for those in hospitality and for the
many in permanent, so-called unskilled jobs whether they can
still come and work freely in the UK. It is important we correct
that concern...
(South Antrim)
(DUP):...But we are where we are, and the backstop
proposed in this withdrawal agreement will do nothing but leave
Northern Ireland out on the periphery. We will not be able to
enjoy any of the advantages. We have heard the message that the
Ulster Farmers Union has accepted this deal, but there are many
areas in this. Should intervention be given to farmers from the
United Kingdom and it is not in line with what Europe has agreed,
or it is more than they would have received under the CAP—or the
single farm payment, as it currently is—those farmers in Northern
Ireland would not be able to access it, because it would be
breach EU rules...
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