(Lab): It is an unconvincing Statement in many ways but
there are three particular delusions and contradictions in it.
First, the Prime Minister still has not explained how you can
have two countries with different tariffs and no controls at the
border, but that is exactly what she promised the Irish before
Christmas. Secondly, and very importantly, the Prime Minister is
still under this extraordinarily naive delusion that she can sign
trade agreements with Mr Trump without obliging us to take
American agricultural products, which is quite inconceivable, and
that she can sign a trade agreement with China while retaining
quotas on Chinese steel imports. She obviously does not know Mr
Xi Jinping. She also does not take seriously Mr Modi’s statements
about the need for Indian immigration as a priority, in the event
that he signs trade agreements with this country.
The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Evans of Bowes Park)
(Con): Well, I am afraid that I do not agree with the
noble Lord’s extremely pessimistic view of every aspect of both
the Statement and the Government’s approach. We believe that we
will be able to develop a deep, special and productive
relationship with the EU, which is what we are committed to, and
the Prime Minister in the Statement set out the principles
underpinning that.
In relation to the noble Lord’s point about passporting, the
reason why we are not looking for passporting is that we
understand that it is intrinsic to the single market, and it
would require us to be subject to a single rule book over which
we have no say. We are looking for a collaborative, objective
framework that is reciprocal, mutually agreed and permanent, and
therefore stable for businesses—and we believe that we can
achieve this.
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