Category Archives: Europe

Backing The PM To Go Back to Brussels

Yesterday, I spoke in the House of Commons debate on Brexit. I welcomed the Prime Minister’s reassurance that she will seek changes to the proposed Withdrawal Agreement in order to make it acceptable to the UK.

Parliament gave the Prime Minister a mandate to go into bat in Brussels, and rejected proposals to allow MPs to wrest control of the legislative agenda. This was an important moment in the Brexit process.

You can read my speech here, or watch a video of me delivering it in the House of Commons here. I also gave an interview explaining my position to the BBC’s Today Programme, which you can listen to here (from 1hr34m).

Meaningful Vote Speech

Yesterday, I spoke in the House of Commons debate on the government’s Brexit deal explaining why I could not support it.

In my speech, I set out how the draft deal would have severe, long-term, risks for our economy and trust in our democracy. The deal would also stifle the positive opportunities of Brexit that inspired over 17 million people to vote to leave the EU in June 2016.

You can read the full text of my speech on Hansard here, or watch a video of my speech here.

The UK offer to the EU

Following the Prime Minister’s speech in Florence, on Friday, I have penned a column for The Sun on Sunday,  summarising the key points – on how we intend to take back control of our laws, money and borders, while offering a positive and optimistic ‘win-win’ deal to our European partners.

You can read it here.

 

A Conservative Manifesto for Aspirational Britain

Today, Prime Minister Theresa May launched the 2017 Conservative election manifesto. It is a bold prospectus for keeping the economy firing on all cylinders, delivering lower taxes, easing the pressure from the cost of living, making our society more meritocratic, addressing burning social challengers like care for the elderly, and – of course – making a success of Brexit.

I compare the Conservative and Labour pitches to voters in a column for The Independent. You can read it here.