May be customs checks. But not at the frontier, and not with any physical incarnation or physical infrastructure. And i think he is raising a very important point, because as the uk comes out of the eu, and as we go to a zero tariff, zero free trade deal, it will also be incumbent upon us to use this experience that we are going through now as we develop our relations with the eu as a whole, and as we develop the eu as a whole, and as we develop the systems, the frictionless systems, by which uk eu trade will continue to operate. This has been a long and frustrating journey, very sadly, i think or not that the labour front bench wishes to prolong. Could i commend the Prime Minister on his efforts to break the brexit impasse and seek a compromise that not only Less Parliament cant live and work with, but the nation can as well. Cannot live with. But my right honourable friend agree that more voices in this parliament have expressed their approval in the National Interest, the more powerful message this would send to brussels at that clinical meeting next week . My at that clinical meeting next week . My friend is entirely right, i know he has campaigned passionately on the subject. I know how influential he can be in reaching across the house and i hope very much the what with him doing that. How would the premise to sell this potentially ruinous proposal to the farmers and shellfish farmers and my constituency, it would be able to see just 12 miles across the water that Northern Irish counterparts being allowed free and unfettered access to the Single Market . If this is good enough for Northern Ireland, why is it not good enough for scotland . . Or why is it not good enough for scotland . . Or are my constituents are simply expendable . Scotland . . Or are my constituents are simply expendable . |j scotland . . Or are my constituents are simply expendable . I find that ironic given that it is the bold policy of the snp to give bag control of the scotlands stupendous marina wealth to brussels that marine health. I congratulate my friend for bringing all of us across the house that wish to leave the eu without a deal. These exchanges today will be observed by our european friends, and our ability to negotiate that deal will often be the subject of do they trust this house to pass the deal that has finally agreed . Can i commend my right honourable friend to think of having a vote in this house to test his negotiating strategy, to demonstrate to our eu friends that we are behind him . I am gratefulto my honourable friend, as i said before two another colleague, i will reflect on that suggestion. I think it would be more convincing to do the deal, i think that is what the act prescribes, to do the deal out of then bring this house. I think thatis of then bring this house. I think that is probably what this house would prefer, but im happy to have discussions on that matter. Hearing the proceedings today, it seems increasing this is an eternal debate within the conservative party. I hear that the outcry from the treasury bench but the reality is that Simon Coveney has said this morning, we could not possibly support the proposals of the pm, he should come back something fit for purpose. Elaborating, he said that they cannot support any proposal that supports one party, or the majority of over ireland on how it could be permitted. Premise there, how would you respond to that challenge if this is going to be workable . He is raising an important point, i listen carefully to what my friend simon has to say. We must get the mechanism of consent writes about all communities feel reassured about all communities feel reassured about it. I am very happy to discuss it, not only with seinen cave knee in dublin, but also with the honourable gentleman. Simon coveney. In harlow, we have already seen the nhs dividend with a brand new hospital, the people there who feel that those who will vote against this excellent deal want to stop brexit completely. Can my right honourable friend confirmed that once we do this deal, when we leave the eu, gain control of our taxes and be able to reduce vat and energy bills for our hard working piece that shoots . Yes, mr speaker, and not only will we be able to reduce vat in the uk, we will be able to do in Northern Ireland as well. Now that the Prime Minister has established the principle that different parts of the uk can have different parts of the uk can have different eu status, scotland must at least be entitled to claim her place in the Single Market and Customs Union. When will the proposal be put to the eu . |j Customs Union. When will the proposal be put to the eu . I think for most people in this house do understand that the good friday agreement does and pose a particular requirements the governance of Northern Ireland, it is a unique situation. As for the question raised, the people of scotland had a referendum in 2014, they rated very substantially to remain part of the uk, and they were told it was a once and decision. Once and a generation decision. and decision. Once and a generation decision. I also welcome the reasonable proposals we have heard today. With the Prime Minister confirmed that when we speak of customs checks, we must be very careful not to conflate administrative customs procedures that can take place in a warehouse with physical customs checks at a border, and that the latter are not proposed and his proposals, and easing for the excise checks to take place at present. I think my honourable friend has put has fingered or not the heart of the question, he is entirely right. I think it is very important for all honourable member to bear in mind as they approach this question that we cant solve this problem for exactly the means described. Cani can i press the Prime Minister on how exactly he plans to go to the support of the people of Northern Ireland, and when . The crucial question, one of them, but these proposals evoke is for discussion of oui proposals evoke is for discussion of our friends, not just proposals evoke is for discussion of ourfriends, notjust in dublin but around the eu. We do think there is around the eu. We do think there is a way forward. Im happy to keep abreast of our way forward as we get that. It must be done one way or another by consent. Given his busy schedule, i dont know if you will have time to read the eu which might lead his fta with vietnam. Even a cufsofy lead his fta with vietnam. Even a cursory glance shows that the entire agreement is based on tariff reductions in exchange for market access, does this not sure that it is fanciful to believe that we can somehow leave the eu as they and the Customs Union and get this type of trade deals . Secondly, is it not a reminder that when we leave the eu, it will be negotiating its own trade deals, therefore, it is in both parties and have a technological way to do with variations and respective territories tariffs. I congratulate my friend because he speaks with the voice of technological optimism, again, he understands the details of these questions very well. That is indeed the way forward for this country. There is a wealth of opportunity that will open up if we have the courage to take the steps. Mr speaker, the Prime Minister has denied now on multiple occasions during the session at what he is proposing a mohs physical customs checks, but he adjusted and his statement that there will be, on page three of his statement, a number of cases where physical checks would be necessary. Is he denying that he said that . Secondly, he refers to the customs declaration. It has a decoration of aspiration with no legal force result is not the case that if Free Trade Agreement of the two will take at least three years to negotiate. Nothing will get done by the two will take at least three years to negotiate. Nothing will get done by this at all. As the honourable judgment knows, there are already some checks for other purposes between gb and ni. If there are to between gb and ni. If there are to be new checks down the irish sea, they will not be on the gb side. They will be done by uk officials. They will be done by uk officials. They will be no new board or pose or reporters, there will be de minimis checks whatever checks there may be will be done by consent and only introduced by consent there will certainly be no checks on the gb side. It is entirely depending on whether the eu wants them. On her second point about the political declaration, that will chart a way forward for the uk eu relationship, it will be ambitious and positive and allow us to build a new partnership that i hope you will find invigorating and support. partnership that i hope you will find invigorating and support. I do have a question on the proposal, but cani have a question on the proposal, but can i start with catherine with Great Respect of the claims might be the benches opposite, chief among them, the claim that mic in terms of them, the claim that mic in terms of the proposals, if they were to vote for this deal, the problems you describe would not exist, even an event of no do, maybe you could encourage has copies as any Scottish Government to pass on some of the money to local authorities for health inspectors, that would be extremely helpful. I will get one of the question, in that case. My question on the proposal is when this people goes ahead and gets accepted, it replaces the backstop, come the end of the implementation period, can he confirm that will be no later than september 2020 . Because we have replaced the backstop, there will be known for any further extension . And there like that is entirely right, mr speaker. I thank my honourable friend i congratulate him on everything he does to promote the interests of scottish fishing, where ifi interests of scottish fishing, where if i may say, he shows great leadership and vision. Under these proposals, scotland will take back control of scotland ands fishing grounds and be able to turn them to the advantage of the people of scotland. Im sad to say that the snp would hand that control of scottish fishing to brussels. snp would hand that control of scottish fishing to brussels. I know the Prime Minister is hopeful of restoring stormont, we all are across that house, but it isnt by no means assured. If he miraculously succeeds to secure a deal, and effo rts succeeds to secure a deal, and efforts to restore stormont feel, though this coming real to enforce this proposal . We are working very ha rd to restore this proposal . We are working very hard to restore stormont, and im sure that has complete support of the honourable member. 0h, sure that has complete support of the honourable member. Oh, what a glittering galaxy of stars from me to choose. Thank you very much for the compliment. Andrew duff, the president of the very inflation spinelli group, has responded positively to the proposals this morning. He said they are stitch, the potential landing zone for a deal. Does the Prime Minister agree that that is positive, and also, those of us in this house you want a deal and avoid no deal now need to respond positively, engage with his proposals rather than dismissing them without even having read the final text . Im them without even having read the finaltext . Im very them without even having read the final text . Im very grateful to my honourable friend my i do think there are many people of all political persuasions looking carefully at these proposals now and you see them as the way forward. I remember andrew duff well and im very glad that these proposals are finding favour with him. The world of work once a deal to be done, but the problem with the proposals is not just with the problem with the proposals is notjust with more than island making our country away from half a century of collaboration, of close collaboration with our biggest market, in favour of a decade of economic uncertainty. But on Northern Ireland, after 40 years of war, there is peace. A terrible price was paid to achieve that. Nothing should be done which puts that at risk. Can i ask the Prime Minister a very specific question . Or the movement of goods and his assertion that there will be no physical infrastructure, in his letter, reference is made to a small number of physical checks at traders premises, or other points on the supply chain. Where are they and what are they . There will be checks and the way that checks are already made for the purposes of in the deleting tried and goods are subject to excise and Business Premises or elsewhere. On his substantive point about the Peace Process, i agree with him totally. I think the Peace Process in Northern Ireland, is the right honourable lady next to him has already said, it is one of the great achievement of our times, and these proposals are designed to build on that Peace Process and to ta ke build on that Peace Process and to take it forward. Can i warmly welcome at these creative and constructive proposals. Also, my right honourable friends repeated offers to meet with members of the opposition to discuss them further, because we will all have to compromise across this house and bring all honourable members do well to remember the aphorism that those who insist on absolute victory risk absolute defeat . There again speaks the voice of cheltenham, and quite rightly, i do believe that in this conversation this morning, people have not paid enough attention to the move that the uk has already made. This is a very considerable advance that we are making in offering alignment in these areas. I think its something that members do need to reflect upon, but it offers a way forward. If done by consent, i think it offers a very positive way forward , think it offers a very positive way forward, and i definitely come to understand what were trying to do. He said scotland was going to take back control of fisheries, does that imply hes going to devolve those powers to the Scottish Parliament . In interviews, he is intent on a power grab, taking powers and legislating here for action already eat a power grab, taking powers and legislating here for action already devolved to scotland. Obviously, what we are proposing to do is to bring powers over uk fish back to the people of scotland. It is quite astonishing that the snp continue to shrug off and refuse the ability to run their own fisheries. Quite extraordinary. Can i welcome my right honourable friend was my approach since he has become Prime Minister to getting this moving forward. Indeed, cani minister to getting this moving forward. Indeed, can i thank him for spending well over close to 600 minutes at this dispatch box, answering questions to his house on this issue, i believe he has approached it with statesmanship, workmanship to get things done. Yesterday, when i backed my Prime Ministers deal, i got lets call them fruity questions on twitter or how i could be supporting deal. Does my right honourable friend agree with me that this is the way to get a deal, for those who want to get a deal, this is compromise and moving forward. And those quick to bounce down to the media before it was even looked at by analysts are giving game away and are not interested in democracy . I am grateful to game away and are not interested in democracy . I am gratefulto my game away and are not interested in democracy . I am grateful to my right honourable friend, it is quite likely that i was into many more minutes at this dispatch about elucidating these matters and im very happy to do so. He is making the Crucial Point that, of course, this house and many members of it are opposed to no deal and what they see as the damaging consequences of a new deal, even as i have tried to reassure the house, i believe we can greatly minimise those impacts. If members are opposed to a new deal, then they really logically ought to support this, it is the way forward, i think is very creative and constructive, it takes the country forward and delivered on a new mandate of the people. The Prime Minister must recognise that the still manages to put two bottles on or around the island of ireland, whilst at the same time, significantly undermining the north east manufacturing and exporting economy, and leaving our nhs, indeed, our gorgeous landscape, open to the depredations of the big american business. Isnt itjust an attempt to put the blame for this ongoing brexit shambles anywhere but where it belongs with the Prime Minister . I have great pride in going to North Manchester hospital at the the other day. Forgive me, i thought she spoke of manchester. We are investing in the nhs and newcastle as well, mr speaker, that is thanks to the hard work this government has done to repair the economic ruin of the labour party. As for her assertion that we are somehow going to do a free trade deal with america that would expose the nhs, is completely wrong. It is the nhs, is completely wrong. It is the purest scaremongering and she should take it back. But my right honourable friend confirm a couple of things to me, first, that this is a backstop, a replacement backstop, but is not the intention to have those, provided that we cant negotiate a full Free Trade Agreement that would obviate the need for these particular arrangements . Secondly, that the political declaration is indeed the political declaration is indeed the political show decoration, it doesnt have the kind of legislative force that the Withdrawal Agreement would. Therefore, in a forthcoming general election, it is up to all parties to make the case, no bypass, canada plus, whatever, but it is up toa canada plus, whatever, but it is up to a politician to make that case so that if they form a government, they can indeed bring forward their version of free trade arrangements in the future . My honourable friend to know that this is not a backstop because we come out of the Customs Union, the whole of the uk is out of it, and so far as Northern Ireland remains temporarily aligned on agri foods and industrial goods, that is by consent. There is no backstop. He is absolutely right to say that these proposals offer the opportunity to do free trade deals around the world, a very exciting prospect indeed. The Prime Minister has little emitted out is wrong to cut our policing much like nine and ten crimes went his government is that intimately massive faults with universal credit and the deep damage to the nhs. This unusual honesty is refreshing, so when will he get equally honest with brexit and admit that these plans we leave our country worse off, less secure, at risk the very future of the uk . And as such, should never and can never be described as being in our National Interest . I think that you will find many members of his constituency visually to leave the eu, indeed, the population as a whole voted to leave the eu out of their wishes must be respected. This house has voted time after time to honour the promise that we make to the british people, we can do so. I absolute believe that we can achieve absolute believe that we can achieve a glorious future by coming out with a glorious future by coming out with a deal of the kind that we are outlined today. Noses could have come down from the mountain with ta blets come down from the mountain with tablets of stone, and there would still have been those on the benches opposite you grumbled. Noses. But the grumblers are in the minority. Will the Prime Minister set out in due course are more of the detail of the political declaration that is so important in this case, and his vision of our treaty agreements, nudges with the eu but across the world . Nudges with the eu but across the world . We will make sure that we set out what we want to do with the political declaration, but also with our ambitions for ftas. The Prime Minister is promising to get brexit done at the end of the month. But the eu is not what to sink to the bottom of the sea, and as todays exchanges have demonstrated, many questions are ardern and cert and nothing has been resolved. What about the madness is getting brexit done, this is brexit never ending. That fact rather than as being about getting brexit done, this is brexit never ending. The honourable lady has it in her hands to help us all get this thing over the line. If this is the basis of a deal, it is not a deal, we have to get agreed with our eu friends, it will not be easy but if im able to time a video like this to the house of commons might hope from what you say today that she will vote to get this thing done. Immensely grateful to the honourable lady. As with the malthouse compromise and the brady amendment, it is difficult to look at these proposals and not conclude that the benches opposite are almost exclusively talking to them self. Taking the proposals at face value, does the Prime Minister except that evenif does the Prime Minister except that even if they do form the basis for a deal, that there is no way that the arrangements set out in this new protocol could be put in place within 14 months, and so the logic of what he is proposing an extension to the transition period, beyond december 2020, before the financial implications that entails . december 2020, before the financial implications that entails . I think thatis implications that entails . I think that is an excellent and relevant point. Im happy to talk through how we could satisfy of the objectives that we have for the limitation period by the end of 2020, and to get to the state that we want to be with our eu friends. He speaks about the need to convert a cross party, i more than happy to do that with him. The reality is that anyone supporting this hodgepodge proposals, the absent dup has stolen is heads and regards to accepting a regulatory body or down the irish sea. This can only because the looming new dealforfrom sea. This can only because the looming new deal for from the sea. This can only because the looming new dealforfrom the Prime Minister would be disastrous for Northern Ireland which voted to remain. As in a time for the people of Northern Ireland, as well as the rest of the uk, to remain. Is it time for the people of Northern Ireland, as well as the rest of the uk, he given a further bout with an option of remaining and the Customs Union and Single Market on a ballot point park . What is the prime is the premise afraid of . I think what they people want is the democratic world respected and to get brexit done, and that is what we are going to do. The negative response this morning from both the Business Community in Northern Ireland and the majority of Political Parties in Northern Ireland indicates that the Prime Minister has got a great deal of work to do if he is to do the consent of the people of Northern Ireland for his proposals. Does he not recognise too that if he fails to gain the consent of the people of Northern Ireland, he runs a significant risk of lasting damage on the good friday agreement, in this letter and spirit . on the good friday agreement, in this letter and spirit . I appreciate that point, she is absolutely right in emphasising the importance of getting consensus in mother ireland, thatis getting consensus in mother ireland, that is why we play so much emphasis in these proposals on consent. Northern ireland. That will be a key pa rt Northern Ireland. That will be a key part of the discussions. From the discussions this morning, its it now no longer a film which part of the declaration the government supports. It would help if they could set out which part still exist. It is important, for instance, the other day i was listening to universities minister is trying to reassure some of our senior researchers that we have stayed as close as possible to the European Research frames, overseen by the easy], is that still the governments position . Of course we will still have a very close relationship with all european projects, whether it is on science, research or education, whatever happens to be. I am very happy, in due course, to share of the honourable gentleman and the whole house where we are on the political declaration. The object of the changes to the political declaration is really to set out the difference between this government . Approach to the future relationship on the trade and the Customs Union and our ambition to do global free trade deals. Go to the Prime Minister outlined his thinking over the principle of the Northern Ireland assembly is review and voting on these arrangements every four years . Isnt it because circumstances change, they have a right to change their minds . That is indeed the case. As he will understand. But if he invites me to draw and analogy with the people of scotland, i must remind him that people of scotland we re remind him that people of scotland were repeatedly promised that their referendum was a once in a generation question. On the issue of substance and tone, the sure substance and tone, the sure substance is not for the church. In respect to the turn, i would like to say that i think the tone of yesterdays a very important debate on the governments Domestic Abuse bill and the tone of the exchanges today represent a huge improvement on last