Conduct of negotiations

Part of European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill – in the House of Commons at 3:15 pm on 8 February 2017.

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Photo of Oliver Letwin Oliver Letwin Conservative, West Dorset 3:15, 8 February 2017

I think my hon. Friend is being a little uncharitable. He seems to be assuming that these new clauses are without purpose, but, as was recently pointed out, they have a very definite purpose: were they to be passed, it would be impossible for the Government to proceed with article 50. It would be in the courts certainly for years, possibly for decades, and maybe even for centuries. A very conscious policy of great intelligence is being followed here. My hon. Friend is underestimating the ingenuity of the Opposition.