argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Speaker’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Before I call the Prime Minister to make a statement, I want to make a very few brief introductory remarks First, I want to thank—and I am sure that colleagues across the House want to join me in thanking—all the staff of the House who have worked so hard to facilitate the sitting today. [Hon. Members: "Hear, hear."] I know that many of them have had to make special arrangements to be here, as have many hon. and right hon. Members Secondly, I remind hon. Members of what I said in my statement at the start of the Session less than a week ago about the need to be mindful of the impact of what they say, not only upon other hon. and right hon. Members, but upon on others who follow our proceedings Thirdly, I can inform the House that I have selected amendment (a), in the name of Sir Oliver Letwin and others, to motion 1, and the manuscript amendment in the name of Peter Kyle and others to motion 2 Fourthly, it may be to the convenience of the House to know that although the second motion is debatable, I think it will be convenient for the two motions to be debated together so that reference to the second motion may be made in the debate. If the second motion is moved, I will put the Question or Questions on that motion without separate debate.
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Order. I did say that the statement by the Prime Minister must be heard. The response of the Leader of the Opposition, in the best traditions of parliamentary democracy, must also be heard, and it will.
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Order. I certainly do not anticipate that it will be possible to call everybody on the statement, and we will want to proceed with the debate on the motion. In the name of maximising participation, there is a premium upon brevity from those on the Back and Front Benches alike.
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): Let me first say that I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman in this sense: together he and I, and the rest of his group, made a case powerfully to the EU that it was necessary for Northern Ireland to come out of the customs union—which was not, by the way, a point that was accepted by the EU—and we were successful in that. The right hon. Gentleman is critical of the arrangements, but the significant point about a customs union is that it is a union that sets its own tariffs and duties at the perimeter around that customs union, and that is what the whole of the UK will do, including Northern Ireland. And let us be frank, that is not what the European Commission or our European friends thought would be the result of these negotiations. I believe that it is a great success for Northern Ireland and the whole country The arrangements that have made that possible, of course, are temporary and determined by consent. I do think it a pity that it is thought necessary for one side or the other in the debate in Northern Ireland to have a veto on those arrangements because, after all—and I must be very frank about this—the people of this country have taken a great decision embracing the entire four nations of this country, by a simple majority vote that went 52:48 and which we are honouring now. I think that principle should be applied elsewhere, and I see no reason why it should not be applied in Northern Ireland as well. It is fully compatible with the Good Friday agreement.
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I am afraid that the hon. Lady is simply wrong. There will be no border down the Irish sea. There are already checks for epidemiological purposes. There will be some customs checks, yes, but there will be no tariffs. There will be a single united customs union between all four nations of the UK, as she would expect. That is what we have delivered; and we have delivered it, by the way, in defiance of the scepticism and negativity of the Opposition, who continually said that it could not be done and that it was absolutely essential for Northern Ireland to remain in the customs union of the EU. We have solved the problem and we have taken Northern Ireland out.
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my right hon. Friend, who has done much to bring our party and, indeed, the House together on this matter. I could not agree with him more fervently. I really do think this is the day for everybody to put aside their differences and get this thing done. Our voters—the country—are looking at us. They expect us to deliver it. Let’s do it today.
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): The better angels of the Leader of the Opposition’s nature may still agree with that position; my impression is that he has been in some way captured and held hostage by those who wish to convert the Labour party into the party of revoke, and of dither and delay, a second referendum, more turmoil, and more uncertainty for business for years to come.
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my right hon. Friend for her point. She is absolutely right: this is the moment for Parliament and people to yoke arms, come together, and get this thing done. That is what our country wants.
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I think the best way to show our trust in the people is to repay their trust in us by honouring their mandate and delivering on the verdict of the people. That is what we should do today, and I hope very much that the hon. Gentleman will join us in the Lobby tonight.
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Order. I think the hon. Member for Slough (Mr Dhesi) thinks that nodding at me vigorously to the extent that it virtually constitutes a bow is the most efficacious means of being called. He may well have his opportunity in due course, but first I want to hear from Caroline Lucas.
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): The right hon. Gentleman is right in what he says, but, of course, the first few things he said were wholly incorrect. There will be a high standard maintained—the very highest standards maintained —for workers’ rights and environmental protection. If he is not content with that, it is open to him as a Member of this House, as I have said, to take part in the setting of the mandate for the future partnership and to engage, as all parliamentarians are invited to, in drawing up the terms of our future partnership, and I hope he takes up that offer.
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Richard Grosvenor Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax (Conservative, Centre-right): As I understand it, the £39 billion for an FTA is based on EU alignment. Will my right hon. Friend confirm and reassure me that that will not affect or restrict UK tax, foreign or defence policies?
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I pay tribute to my right hon. Friend for everything that he has done for Northern Ireland. I think he would agree that the one thing that would really make a difference now to all those policy fields in Northern Ireland, and take Northern Ireland furthest forward the fastest, would be if we could get the Stormont Assembly up and running again and if the parties came together for government in Northern Ireland once more.
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Immigration
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady has raised a very important point. Perhaps I should have said more about it in my opening remarks, because I think that this is one of the things that the Government have done well over the last few years. Perhaps we should have been faster, but we are finally giving the 3.4 million the assurances that they need, and the EU settled status scheme is now working extremely well. It is vital that everybody—all the EU citizens living in our country—has the reassurances that they need. I might add that it is also vital—this is a point that I made to our colleagues in Brussels—that there should be symmetry. At the moment there is not perfect symmetry, and it is important that as we come out and give our EU nationals the treatment they deserve, that is reciprocated on the other side of the channel. By and large it is, but there is some progress to be made.
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend is completely right. I do think that the whole business world has been, as it were, holding its breath and waiting for us to get this thing done. There is massive confidence and excitement about this country and its future. Businesses want to invest: let us give them an opportunity to do so in the course of the next few weeks and months.
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): The right hon. Gentleman has spoken with his customary honesty and insight. I think it would be a good thing if the House were able to have what I think was promised to it and to the country, namely a meaningful vote tonight, but my fear is that the vote that we have will not prove to be meaningful, and I think that, given the solemnity of this occasion, that would be a great pity.
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): The reason I am not worried about that is that there are no new rules of origin checks. This is a deal that I hope the right hon. Gentleman will get behind and support, because it represents stability and certainty for business.
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Kirstene Janette Hair (Conservative, Centre-right): I think it important that other voices from Scotland are asking Scottish MPs to vote for this deal, such as the National Farmers Union of Scotland, the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scotch Whisky Association. They all believe that it is best for industry, the economy and jobs. Scottish Conservatives will vote for this deal, and Scottish nationalists will once again vote for a no-deal Brexit.
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Henry Edward Millar Smith (Conservative, Centre-right): The British people are watching this place very carefully and history is recording what we say. The clear majority message from my constituents is that they want the Brexit they voted for delivered, and this deal does that. Can I have an assurance from the Prime Minister that we will not only maintain, but enhance, our environmental and animal welfare standards?
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I can indeed give that assurance, and I can tell my hon. Friend, who campaigned to leave the EU for those reasons among others, we will indeed have higher standards of protection for animal welfare, the environment and other matters.
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Robert Henry Halfon (Conservative, Centre-right): I strongly support the deal. Is it not the case that, whatever the Government, we in this Parliament will be able to strengthen workers’ rights without recourse to an external authority? Is it also not the case that we will be able to spend the billions of pounds we save from leaving the European Union on public services and cutting the cost of living for ordinary folk across our country?
Prime Minister’s Statement — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Order. I am sorry to disappoint the remaining right hon. and hon. Members but, having called no fewer than 55 Back Benchers, I judge that it is time to proceed to the debate on the motions.
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): Today is the time for this to come together and move forward. Someone who previously did that, and whom many Members of the House will still remember, was the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Mo Mowlam. Her biography was called "Momentum" before it was a faction forcing out its own colleagues—[Interruption.]
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Civil Rights
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): If the hon. Gentleman really thought that, he would have supported an election to let the people have their say on this issue, but he declined to do so. It is important that politicians do not pick and choose which votes they adhere to and that we respect the biggest vote in our country’s history.
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Civil Rights
George Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative, Centre-right): Does my right hon. Friend agree that those who now call for a second referendum have denied the result of the first referendum? How, then, could the British people ever trust us to follow through on a second referendum?
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): I very much agree with the right hon. Lady’s points, as well as with the principle and consistency that she has shown throughout the debate. It is indeed an interesting snippet within the point that she raises that some of the voices in the media this morning were complaining that there had been insufficient time between the deal on 17 October and the debate in the House today, 19 October. And yet, this is the timescale that the Benn legislation itself required of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister when it came to bringing issues before the House.
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): If hon. Members will give me a moment, the shadow Secretary of State and I have always conducted our debates in the House with great courtesy, so in that spirit, of course I withdraw that. That is a good illustration of what today’s debate is really about. We could get into the detail of whether we are presenting something aligned to what he has previously said and whether the sense is the same, but today is about this House and the country coming together and moving on from these debates and the talks, although the real issue in the talks was some people’s desire for a second referendum, rather than a desire to get into the detail of how we could resolve the issues.
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alexander John Gervase Chalk (Conservative, Centre-right): This is at least the seventh opportunity the House has had to avoid a harmful no deal. There were three occasions relating to the former Prime Minister’s deal; there was the European Free Trade Association; there was Norway; and there was the customs union. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it would be folly to let this final opportunity to avoid a damaging crash-out slip through our fingers?
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Immigration
Atta-Ur-Rehman Chishti (Conservative, Centre-right): The Secretary of State says that the deal is about moving on. One of the real obstacles that prevented us from moving on was the backstop. I resigned from the Government and a party position in November over the backstop. Can he confirm that what we have now completely gets rid of the backstop and is about moving on?
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Immigration
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): I can very much confirm that. The Prime Minister was told that the backstop could not be removed, but its removal is exactly what he has achieved. He was told that was impossible, but he has delivered.
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): The problem with the hon. Gentleman’s argument is that it is at odds with the argument put forward by the right hon. and learned Member for Beaconsfield (Mr Grieve), who says that we need to pass this amendment to have more scrutiny and delay and to take much longer, yet the hon. Gentleman says that we need the amendment to be able to leave on —[Interruption.]
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
John Charles Baron (Conservative, Centre-right): I do not usually do this, but given that there was a very factual error in the comment just made by an Opposition Member, may I say, just for the record, that I have never been a member of the ERG and I am not a member of the ERG?
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): That is a matter of extraordinary interest in the House and possibly across the nation—I say that to the hon. Gentleman in the friendliest spirit—but it is not a matter for adjudication by the Chair. However, the hon. Gentleman has advertised his non-membership of the ERG, and I hope he feels better for it.
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
Dominic Charles Roberts Grieve (Conservative, Centre-right): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is entirely mistaken and cannot have been listening to what I said when I intervened on him. I am in entire agreement with my hon. Friend the Member for Grantham and Stamford (Nick Boles), who asked him the question, because that must be the position. The intention behind the Letwin amendment is to secure that insurance policy—nothing more, nothing less.
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): I say, mainly for the benefit of those observing our proceedings who are not Members of the House, that in common with the overwhelming majority of purported points of order, that was not a point of order. However, the right hon. and learned Gentleman has put his point on the record, and he, too, will doubtless go about his business with an additional glint in his eye and spring in his step as a consequence.
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): The thing that puzzles me is this: I hear the right hon. and learned Gentleman setting out strong objections to the strategy that this Government have pursued, yet, had the Labour party agreed to hold a general election when it was first mooted, that election would be over by now, and if Labour had persuaded the country, there would be a Labour Prime Minister at the Dispatch Box. What is it about the Labour party’s position that it is not willing to put to the country?
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Order. We do not need people, in a rather juvenile fashion, calling out. The right hon. and learned Gentleman will give way if and when he wants to give way, as was true of the Secretary of State. Notwithstanding the notably generous-spirited instincts of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the right hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), I am not aware of the shadow Brexit Secretary having asked him to be his mentor.
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Stephen Charles Kerr (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for finally giving way. What he is not telling the House is that every major business group in Scotland is encouraging us to support the deal today. The Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the CBI, the Federation of Small Businesses, the National Farmers Union of Scotland and the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation are all pleading with us to bring the uncertainty to an end by voting for this deal. Do not listen to SNP Members; they are not Scotland.
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Civil Rights
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): If the hon. Lady will just wait for a minute If this Parliament did not mean it, it is guilty of the most egregious con trick on the British people There have been many views across this House. I want simply to say something to some of the groups involved. To those who believe that there should be a second referendum—some believe passionately and have for some time; others have come to this more lately—I say simply this: you cannot have a second referendum simply because some people do not agree with the result of the first. I do not like—
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
Michael Jon Wood (Conservative, Centre-right): As the hon. Gentleman knows, back in February 2016, before the referendum, that suggestion was put to the then Prime Minister, who said at the Dispatch Box that the very idea was absolutely ridiculous. Nobody in the House disputed that then. Where was the hon. Gentleman?
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Order. We are extraordinarily grateful, more grateful than ever before, to the right hon. and learned Gentleman. The five-minute limit still applies, but the right hon. Member for East Antrim (Sammy Wilson) will be the last Member to benefit from it.
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker Every party and every voice in this House will have equal weight and equal value in the discussion on our future economic partnership, making sure that we can deliver a Brexit deal that delivers for the 52% and for the 48%. That is our intention.
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
Michael Andrew Gove (Conservative, Centre-right): Our first duty to our constituents and our country is to keep our promises. This House said that we would honour that referendum mandate. The time has come. The question that all of us must answer when we return to our constituencies is: did you vote to end the deadlock? Did you vote to end the division of these days? Did you vote to bring the country together? I know that Members across the House will support the Government this afternoon, to do just that.
European Union (Withdrawal) Acts — House of Commons, 2019-10-19
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Order. The Prime Minister was heard. [Interruption.] Yes, he was; do not argue the toss with the Chair. I am telling you what the situation is, and everybody can detect that the Prime Minister was heard. The Leader of the Opposition will be heard, too. It is as simple and unarguable as that.