argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
European Union (Withdrawal) Act — House of Commons, 2019-01-15
Topic: International Affairs
Matthew Robert Warman (Conservative, Centre-right): Mine is the constituency that voted more than any other to leave the European Union in 2016. If we do not get back control of our laws, borders and money, it will be hard to say that this country is a democracy. The people heard in 2016 all the apocalyptic predictions that we now hear about WTO, and they made a choice. In part, the country did that because Parliament, rightly or wrongly, had come to be seen as out of touch with the people on a host of issues. If we do not deliver what the people voted for, we will prove them right. We will damage a democracy further in which people already lack faith So how do we get there? It is clear that this House does not want to back a no-deal departure. It has already been clear that people on both sides of the House will vote to stop it. So I say to those of my constituents who have called me a traitor and worse that when I vote tonight with the Prime Minister, I do so because I am committed to Brexit and voting against this deal would put wind in the sails of those who seek to stop it. Those people have had too much success already. Voting against this deal will not bring about a harder Brexit; it will bolster this House’s dangerous attempts to undermine it. To those who say that no deal is in law and will happen, I say that this House will rewrite the law I am voting tonight for the only way out of this conundrum: a necessary gateway, however painful it might be. There is a risk that we will get stuck in the backstop, but it is now smaller than the risk of not leaving at all. We in Parliament are better than letting the people down. We deserve to get on with it and deliver this Brexit. We should, like it or in many cases not, support this deal tonight.
European Union (Withdrawal) Act — House of Commons, 2019-01-15
Topic: International Affairs
Simon James Hoare (Conservative, Centre-right): I am going to be incredibly parochial. In the 2017 general election, my personal manifesto to the voters of North Dorset said: "I am working for a Brexit right for North Dorset that will support business, protect jobs and workers’ rights, promote local farming, safeguard the environment and give opportunities for our young." Having reviewed the deal, I am confident that it meets those commitments and the referendum decision to leave We live, as we know, in a representative democracy where the voters of North Dorset send me to Westminster to exercise my judgment and support the policies of the Conservative Government. I do not possess the judgment of Solomon. None of us does. All I can do is assure them that I am trying to do my best for them and for our country. I am conscious that in so doing I will not please everyone, but I do not think that that is the purpose of politics I am a democrat. I voted remain and my side lost. The referendum was not, as we know, our finest hour. The majority of the House made it clear that it would support the decision and that Parliament would deliver it. I maintain that view. A second referendum is fool’s gold. Our country’s use of referendums is on constitutional issues, and Brexit is now an issue of domestic policy My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has worked her fingers to the bone, if I may say so, to get this deal right. It has my full and unequivocal support. To deliver Brexit, and to maintain and build faith in our democracy, this House should stop the posturing and support my right hon. Friend in the Lobby tonight.
European Union (Withdrawal) Act — House of Commons, 2019-01-15
Topic: International Affairs
Peter James Bottomley (Conservative, Centre-right): The UK is to leave the EU. That decision was taken two years ago. The question is whether we crash out or support the withdrawal agreement, to be followed by a period of transition and the future arrangements on trade and relationships Assuming that we are not trying to reverse the referendum—I think there is no majority, either in the country or in the House, for that—the majority of us support the Prime Minister’s deal. The majority of Conservative supporters support that, and I suspect that the majority of Labour supporters support that. Other parties, including from Northern Ireland, would as well, given the choice Our responsibility is to find where there is an overlap between what is possible and what is right. I believe that the negotiated agreement on withdrawal is that position. The Opposition, to be reasonably polite, seem to resemble members of the scarabaeidae family who are upside down, pushing in the wrong direction and do not quite know where they are going. If the choice for the country is between chaos and compromise, I think this agreement is the right way of being sensible. I back the plan in the national interest.
European Union (Withdrawal) Act — House of Commons, 2019-01-15
Topic: International Affairs
Edward Julian Egerton Leigh (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister knows that what concerns many of us is the possibility of the permanent nature of the Northern Ireland backstop. May I refer her to my amendment (b) on the Order Paper, which sets a deadline for that backstop? What is the attitude of the Government towards my amendment?
European Union (Withdrawal) Act — House of Commons, 2019-01-15
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my right hon. Friend for his question and for the work he has been doing to try to find a way through on this issue. I know that he has spent a long time consulting with international lawyers. The Government are unable to accept my right hon. Friend’s amendment, which has been selected, because we have a different opinion and a different interpretation of the Vienna convention. However, I note that he has put down alternative proposals relating to this issue, and the Government are willing to look at creative solutions and will be happy to carry on working with my right hon. Friend Turning to the Northern Ireland protocol—[Interruption.]
European Union (Withdrawal) Act — House of Commons, 2019-01-15
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): I set out the Government’s position in detail in my statement yesterday, so I am not going to go over it again. The key thing to remember is that this is not a commitment we are making to the European Union; it is a commitment to the people of Northern Ireland and Ireland that they will be able to carry on living their lives as they do today. It is about saying that, whatever happens when we leave the EU, we will honour the Belfast agreement The Belfast agreement’s success has been built on allowing people from both communities in Northern Ireland to feel that their identities are respected under the principle of consent. For many people in Northern Ireland that means having a seamless land border between the UK and Ireland, which is also essential for their economy. For others, it means fully respecting the fact that Northern Ireland is an intrinsic part of the United Kingdom. No one wants to see the return of a hard border. As a proud Unionist, I share the concerns of Members who are determined that we do not undermine the strength of our United Kingdom, but it is not enough simply to make these assertions. We have to put in place arrangements that deliver those ends, and it is not as simple as some would like it to be As Prime Minister for the whole UK, it is my duty to provide a solution that works for the people of Northern Ireland. The answer lies in agreeing our future economic relationship, but we need an insurance policy to guarantee that there will be no hard border if that future relationship is not in place by the end of the implementation period.
European Union (Withdrawal) Act — House of Commons, 2019-01-15
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): Parliament gave the British people a choice. The Government of the time, all parties and all those campaigning in the referendum were absolutely clear that, whatever the decision of the referendum, it would be respected by Government and Parliament. I believe we have a duty to deliver on that referendum vote and to do so in a way that protects people’s jobs and our security and Union. A vote against the deal is a vote for nothing more than uncertainty, division and the very real risk of no deal or no Brexit at all It does not have to be that way. Tonight, we can choose certainty over uncertainty. We can choose unity over division. We can choose to deliver on our promise to the British people, not break that promise and endanger trust in politics for a generation. As Members of Parliament, we have a duty to serve not our own self-interest or that of our parties, but the people we were elected to represent. It is the people of this country we were sent here to serve—the people of this country who queued up at polling stations, cast their ballots and put their faith in us The people of this country entrusted us with the sacred right to build for them and their children and grandchildren the brighter future they expect and deserve. If we act in the national interest and back this deal tonight, tomorrow we can begin to build that future together. If we act in the national interest and back this deal tonight, we can build a country that works for everyone. Together, we can show the people whom we serve that their voices have been heard, that their trust was not misplaced, that our politics can and does deliver, and that politicians can rise above our differences and come together to do what the people asked of us. That is the test that history has set for us today, and it will determine the future of our country for generations We each have a solemn responsibility to deliver Brexit and take this country forward, and, with my whole heart, I call on this House to charge that responsibility together. I commend the motion to the House.
European Union (Withdrawal) Act — House of Commons, 2019-01-15
Topic: International Affairs
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Finally, I invite the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay (Mr Baron) to move amendment (f) Amendment proposed: (f): at end, add "subject to changes being made in the Withdrawal Agreement and in the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol so that the UK has the right to terminate the Protocol without having to secure the agreement of the EU."—(Mr Baron.) Question put, That the amendment be made.
European Union (Withdrawal) Act — House of Commons, 2019-01-15
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. The House has spoken and the Government will listen. It is clear that the House does not support this deal, but tonight’s vote tells us nothing about what it does support; nothing about how, or even if, it intends to honour the decision the British people took in a referendum that Parliament decided to hold. People, particularly EU citizens who have made their home here and UK citizens living in the EU, deserve clarity on these questions as soon as possible. [Interruption.]
European Union (Withdrawal) Act — House of Commons, 2019-01-15
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): Those whose jobs rely on our trade with the EU need that clarity. So with your permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to set out briefly how the Government intend to proceed First, we need to confirm whether the Government still enjoy the confidence of the House. I believe that they do, but given the scale and importance of tonight’s vote it is right that others have the chance to test that question if they wish to do so. I can therefore confirm that if the official Opposition table a confidence motion this evening in the form required by the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, the Government will make time to debate that motion tomorrow. If, as happened before Christmas, the official Opposition decline to do so, we will on this occasion consider making time tomorrow to debate any motion in the form required from the other Opposition parties should they put one forward Secondly, if the House confirms its confidence in this Government, I will then hold meetings with my colleagues, our confidence and supply partner the Democratic Unionist party, and senior parliamentarians from across the House to identify what would be required to secure the backing of the House. The Government will approach those meetings in a constructive spirit, but given the urgent need to make progress we must focus on ideas that are genuinely negotiable and have sufficient support in this House Thirdly, if those meetings yield such ideas the Government will then explore them with the European Union Mr Speaker, I want to end by offering two reassurances. The first is to those who fear that the Government’s strategy is to run down the clock to 29 March. That is not our strategy. I have always believed that the best way forward is to leave in an orderly way with a good deal, and I have devoted much of the past two years to negotiating such a deal. As you confirmed, Mr Speaker, the amendment to the business motion tabled last week by my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Beaconsfield (Mr Grieve) is not legally binding, but the Government respect the will of the House. We will therefore make a statement about the way forward and table an amendable motion by Monday The second reassurance is to the British people who voted to leave the European Union in the referendum two and a half years ago. I became Prime Minister immediately after that referendum. I believe it is my duty to deliver on their instruction and I intend to do so Every day that passes without this issue being resolved means more uncertainty, more bitterness and more rancour. The Government have heard what the House has said tonight, but I ask Members on all sides of the House to listen to the British people who want this issue settled, and to work with the Government to do just that.
Chester-le-Street: Rail Services — House of Commons, 2019-01-15
Topic: Transportation
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): The right hon. Gentleman has made a significant point. I have to say that that has not been my experience when I have been dealing with the train operating companies, but it is nevertheless clear that the communication to which he referred in his speech has not been good enough. I shall say more about that shortly. As part of the wider drive to improve performance in the north, the Government commissioned Richard George, a respected industry figure, to review the performance of the region’s rail network. He will recommend operational improvements to increase reliability in the short and medium term. Richard will co-ordinate and lead the efforts of Network Rail and the operators. His remit is to help industry reach the right conclusions so that passenger impact is central to every planning decision; the passenger must be at the centre of all of our decisions. He has already helped highlight problem areas and will provide his conclusions later this year In addition, since the May timetabling issues Network Rail has established a programme management office. This will also help to ensure future timetable changes can be better planned and managed. There will be no repeat of the processes that led to the failure of May 2018 and that timetable change I thank the right hon. Member for North Durham for raising the issue of communication and poor information about cancellations and delays. I hear it in other parts of our network too, and it is simply not good enough. There are customer information screens at Chester-le-Street station, and both TPE and Northern publish updated information on their websites and social media channels, but we continue to stress to these operators and the whole industry the absolute importance of giving passengers the information they need when things go wrong. I have raised this with the train operating companies and will continue to do so. It has not been good enough. Obviously I want to get to a place where we do not have to make these comments, but until then a focus on communication is important.
Leaving the EU: Devolution Settlement — House of Commons, 2019-05-08
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.
David Gordon Mundell (Conservative, Centre-right): Mr Speaker, may I take this opportunity to mark the 20th anniversary of the first elections to the Scottish Parliament? Three current Members of this House were elected to that Parliament back in 1999, including me, but, far more importantly, it is a good time to reflect on devolution and the potential of the Holyrood Parliament to improve the lives of the people of Scotland The UK Government, including my Department, continue to engage in frequent and extensive discussions with the Scottish Government in a number of forums to discuss all aspects related to EU exit. Leaving the EU will of course result in substantially increased powers for the Scottish Parliament.
Leaving the EU: Devolution Settlement — House of Commons, 2019-05-08
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.
David Gordon Mundell (Conservative, Centre-right): I was inclined to vote for the hon. Gentleman to succeed your good self, Mr Speaker, before that intemperate question, although I note from his manifesto that he would no longer support independence if he was in your Chair I would point the hon. Gentleman to the debate around the EU at the time of the independence referendum, when the former First Minister of Scotland asserted that Scotland would automatically be in the EU as an independent country. That statement proved to be false.
Leaving the EU: Devolution Settlement — House of Commons, 2019-05-08
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.
David Gordon Mundell (Conservative, Centre-right): As I myself told that conference, there is only one guaranteed way to get an independence referendum off the table and discussion of independence away from the Scottish Parliament, and that is to elect Ruth Davidson as the First Minister of Scotland. [Laughter.]
Leaving the EU: Devolution Settlement — House of Commons, 2019-05-08
Topic: Transportation
Questions: What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.
Ross Thomson (Conservative, Centre-right): As part of our devolution settlement, air passenger duty was devolved to the Scottish Parliament by the Scotland Act 2016, but yesterday Nicola Sturgeon broke her promise to cut APD. Does my right hon. Friend agree with me and business bodies that this tax disproportionately hits Aberdeen and the north-east and that, despite Derek Mackay trying to blame Westminster, the SNP would be better served arguing against this APD U-turn than arguing for independence?
Leaving the EU: Devolution Settlement — House of Commons, 2019-05-08
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.; What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the potential effect on the devolution settlement of the UK leaving the EU.
David Gordon Mundell (Conservative, Centre-right): I certainly agree with my hon. Friend that the SNP Government would do better to focus on the domestic issues that are important to the people of Scotland rather than on independence. As we reach this 20th anniversary of devolution, there remains some scepticism about the Scottish Parliament, but I remain very positive about the Parliament; it is the Government in that Parliament who are not delivering for Scotland.