Transcripts For CSPAN British Parliament Backs Call For Early General Election 20170424

Minister was to provide the country with economic certainty, a clear vision and strong leadership after the long and passionately fought referendum campaign. Ons justice has delivered those priorities. In the timehonored fashion, my right honorable friend has called this election in what she considers, and i consider the National Interest at this moment, it will be a brave man or woman to vote against this motion. It seems to be an emperor without clothes. Many of us have question it for many years. Willy be in your manifesto to scrap it . What is clear is that the act gives us an opportunity, notwithstanding the fixed term element of it to have it at another time. Like my honorable friend, i think it is very clear that every member of this house should be voting for this election. More in the message, she talked greatly about her christian values. Could Prime Minister explain what she has such a loosen complicated relationship with telling the truth . Order. The Prime Minister is perfectly able to fend for herself, but in terms of order, what the gentleman has said is a breach of it. He is versatile in the use of language. Withdraw, use some other formulation if you must. And reformulated. What is the Prime Minister have a complicated and loose relationship with giving this country a clear indication of her intentions . [laughter] i think yesterday i gave the country a very clear indication of my intentions and if he has a little patience you will hear the reasons why. The government has delivered on last year. S i made since the referendum, we have seen if you are confident remain high, a Record Number of jobs and Economic Growth has exceeded expectations. At the same time, we have delivered on the mandate by triggering article 50 before the end of march as we pledge to the to do. We are leaving the eu and there can be no turning back. Take somesnt it brass to call a general election when youre asking for [indiscernible] that, it was not worthy of the honorable gentleman. Can the Prime Minister clarify, as she support fixed Term Parliament . We have a fixed term act that allows us to have fixed Term Parliament. I believe at this point in time it is to have the vote in this house and i believe it is right for the members of this house to , forand i will explain why us to have a general election at this time. Anynot going to have further interventions at this time. This is a limited time debate. Say a new question, how best to ensure the certainty we need in brexit negotiations and make the most of opportunities ahead . The answer to that core question is to hold a general election now in this window of opportunity before the negotiations begin. I believe it is in britains National Interest to hold an election now. A general election is the best way to strengthen britains hand in the negotiations ahead. Forring the right field britain is my priority and i am confident we have the plan to do it. We have set out our ambition, a deep special partnership between a successful European Union and a United Kingdom that is free to charge its own way in the world. It means we will regain control of our own money, our own loss and our own borders and we will be free to strike trade deals with old friends and new partners all around the world. Grateful to the Prime Minister for giving way and i understand shorts to get the house the opportunity to determine what should be an election. If the house determines it now is not the time, why does the Prime Minister stand in the face of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government that has voted for a referendum on scotlands future . It is right that people here a voice and a vote on the future. Why havent the scottish people been given a voice as well . It will strengthen our hand on brexit. Now is not the time for a second Scottish Independence referendum because it will weaken our hand in negotiations on brexit. Are the in unity conservatives. Weakness are the scottish nationalist. This delivers on the will of the british people. It is the right approach for britain and he will deliver a more secure future for our country and a better deal for all our people. That other parties in the south have a different view about the right future for haveountry, while members vowed to fight the government every step of the way. The people have given her a exerciseo our article 50. She has done that and we are grateful to have this opportunity to strengthen the Prime Ministers hand so she can get the best possible deal so int people who live roslindale and darwin get the best possible deal. We want to get that best possible deal for everybody across the whole of this country. I commend my honorable friend for the work he has done in supporting his constituents on this. I will give way to the right honorable gentleman. I can see how it sues the Prime Ministers purposes to make this election all about brexit, but can she accept the possibility that it may just become a referendum on her openl costs, which if left older people without care and a Record Number of Homeless People on the streets of Greater Manchester . Prime minister. Of course the general election, will become to the campaign, people will look at what range of issues. They will look at pensioners being better off because of the actions of a conservative government. They will look that we have more people in good or outstanding schools. The gentleman wants to talk about the impact on the economy, i suggest she searches his memory for when he was a key secretary to the treasury and labor was trashing this country and let to virtual cap bank virtual bankruptcy. Mr. Speaker, i have set out the divisions that have become clear on this issue. They can and will be used against us, weakening our hand in the negotiations to come, and we must not let that happen. I believe that this moment of enormous National Significance should be issued here in westminster and not the vision. That is why is the responsible thing here to vote for a general election to make our respected cases to the country and then respect the results to give britain the strong as possible hand in the negotiation to come. I am very grateful. In the last election, the conservatives gave a commitment to stay in the Single Market. Will she be withdrawing that commitment in the new manifesto, and will that we get her negotiating position as well as corroding the negotiation window . We gave the manifesto to tovide the people on whether a vote on whether to leave the European Union. They give us that vote and they give us a clear message that they want the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. Fictionally grateful to the Prime Minister. I fully support the fact that she needs a struggle can going into the negotiations as we leave the European Union. She not think it prefers that some people who did not want a referendum in the first place now want a second referendum at the end of the procedure just in case the British Government does not get a good deal from brussels . Does she not think that if we were have that second referendum, it would weaken the position of the Prime Minister . The gentleman is absolutely right in his description of what would happen. I think those who want a second referendum, that is denying the will of the people, because people voted is to lead the European Union and we are going to go out there and get the best possible deal. The and wait to hold the next elections of 2020 would mean that we do not affect this sensitive stage. We will have strong and stable leadership to see us through strong negotiations. That is crucial. That is the test. It is not solely about how we make the European Union, but what we do with the opportunities of brexit to provide account. Leaving the eu provides us a once in a Generation Opportunity to shape a Brighter Future for britain. We need the leadership provided by a strong and stable government, a government that has a plan for a stronger britain, a government with determination to see it through and government that would take the right, longterm positions that will deliver a more secure future for britain. The conservative party i lead is determined to be that government. Having tried her best to build up her reputation for clinical integrity, political integrity, she has now ceased, after all the denials there will she is a political opportunist. I have not denied the fact that when i came into this role as Prime Minister, what the country needed was stability. They also need government shows it will deliver on the referendum to leave the eu. We have provided that over the last nine months. Now it is clear to me that if we are going to have the strongest possible hand in negotiations, we should have an election now. 2020ng the election to would mean we would be coming to the most sensitive and critical part of the negotiations in the runup to a general election, and that would be in nobodys interest. Theust bigger, i said conservative party elite is determined to be that government, and determined to provide that leadership and provide stability to the United Kingdom and the longterm and that is what that election will be about, leadership and stability. Does the Prime Minister appreciate decisiveness and that she agreed that voting yes on s would signify stress signify strength, whereas abstaining would be a sign of weakness . I think absolutely that voting yes is a sign of strength. More about a little abstaining, but i think that anybody who abstains and things we should not have a general election is endorsing the record of the conservative government. Which he agreed with lord hill, who was a commissioner in europe when asked in front of the committee, the best strategy for negotiation is, his response is we have to come together watchinghey will be this place and will exploit any weakness in our system. The gentleman is absolutely right and im grateful for him reminding us of what lord hill said about this issue. It is important we come together and we dont show the divisions that have been suggested in the past. That we are able to show a strong mandate for plan for brexit and making a success of that. To bringtermined stability to the United Kingdom for the longterm, and that is what this election will be about, leadership and stability. The decision facing the country will be clear. I will be campaigning for strong and stable leadership in the tristal National Instr with me National Interest with me as Prime Minister. Stability wethe need. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I think the premise for giving way. On the timetable before yesterday, the Prime Minister would have concluded her negotiation by 2019, we would have gone into the general election in 2020, a year later talk about the Prime Minister steel. That would have given the country and outlook into what we would be voting for. The Prime Minister is asking the country to strengthen her hand. Ist she is actually doing asking the country to vote for a blank check. Im not asking the country to write a link check, weve been very clear what we intend on the outcome of the negotiations. I said that in my speech in january, it was set out in a white paper, and the article 50 paper and we submitted it to the president of the european council. Mr. Speaker, i say to the house the choice before us today is clear. I have made my choice. It is to do something that runs through the veins of my party more than any other. It is the choice to trust the people. Let us vote to do that today. But as lamp our plans for breakfast let us lay out our plans for brexit. Let us put our feet and hands of the people and let the people decide. Order. The question is that there should be an early parliamentary general election. Mr. Jeremy corbyn. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Opportunity of a general election because it gives the british people the chance to vote for a labor government that will put the interest of the majority first. HasPrime Minister says she only recently and reluctantly decided to go for a snap election. Four weeks ago, the Prime Minister spokesperson said, there is not going to be an early general election. How can any voter trust what the Prime Minister says . Mr. Speaker, britain is being held back by her government. The primary after talks about a strong economy, but the truth is, most people are worse off than they were when the conservatives came to power seven years ago. The election gives the british people the chance to change direction. This election is about her failure to rebuild the economy in Living Standards for the majority. It is about the crisis her government has plunged our National Health service into. The cuts to our childrens schools, which will limit the chances of every child in britain. 4 million of whom now live in poverty. Alternative to raise the Living Standards as more and more people do not have security in their work or over their houses. [shouting] i give way. Thank you very much mr. Speaker. I try not to take it personally having to write so early, the Prime Minister so desperate to get rid of me shes calling an election. But what i say to my honorable friend, what i would say, with my honorable friend agree that the Prime Minister including this election says she does have confidence in her own government to deliver a brexit you for britain . One way she could secure the vote with me and my honorable friend is to table a motion of no confidence in her own governance which ill be happy to vote for. I think my friend for that intervention. I congratulate him on his election to the south, and i congratulate him on his work and i agree with him. I have no confidence in this government either. [shouting] in the interest of what else can i do . [inaudible] ungrateful for my honorable friend. He highlighted the back of the Prime Minister for 12 months and all the time said she didnt want one. But isnt it the reality that what has focused her point is a fact that she may well lose some of her backbenchers . I think my friend for that intervention. The timing of the election and the role is of course extremely interesting in this and its interesting the Prime Minister did not mention it during her contribution. Mr. Speaker, i give way to the gentleman here. He talks about trust in leadership what trust can public put in a leader who has no confidence from his parliamentary colleagues and he is by people not an apartment but for people who are outside . Mr. Speaker, i was elected leader of my party by 300,000 votes. I dont know how many people voted for the Prime Minister to be leader of her party. I suspect it was actually none whatsoever. So, mr. Speaker, to the 6 Million People working in jobs that pay less than a living wage i simply say this. It doesnt have to be like this. Because labour believes that every job should pay a wage you can live on, and every worker should have decent rights at work. To the millions of people who cant afford a home of their own or have spent years waiting for a council home, this is your chance to vote for the home your family deserves. Because we believe a housing policy should provide homes for all, not Investment Opportunity for a few. To the millions of Small Businesses that up with red tape, high business rates, broken promises a National Insurance contributions, this is your chance to vote for government that invests, and that supports wealth creators, not just the wealth extractors. Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister says she is called the so government to negotiate brexit. We had a referendum that establish that mandate. Parliament has voted to accept that result. There is no obstacle, there is no obstacle for the government negotiating. When a steady getting on with the job, shes painting herself as a prisoner of the lib dems who apparently threatened to grind government to a standstill. Mr. Speaker, there are nine of them and they managed to vote three different ways on article 50. So its obviously a very serious [shouting] the tories want to use brexit to turn us into a lowwage tax haven. Labour will use brexit to invest in every part of this country, to create a high skilled economy in which everyone shares the reward. The Prime Minister also, mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister also says this campaign will be about leadership. So then lets have they have to tv debate about the future of our country. Why has she rejected that request . Labour mr. Speaker . Mr. Speaker, labour offers a better future. We want richer lives for all, not a country run for the rich. Order. Giving way to the right honorable gentleman. Order. Order, order. Order, order. I name the right honorable gentleman for more than 30 years, since we stood against each other in a student election. Hes not going to take it personally. Hes not going to take it personally, but order. The right honorable gentleman once to raise a point. On a point of order, is that it lacks. [laughing] let me well, hes very generous to seek to invest me with additional powers. But the question of whether is it as he put it is not a question for me, its a question for the right honorable gentleman and the right honorable gentleman has completed his contribution. Sir desmond swain. Mr. Speaker, i accept entirely the logic that was laid out by my right honorable friend and her statement yesterday in downing street. What i i can say, however, is i reached that conclusion somewhat earlier. However, i just did not believe it was possible to deliver. Indeed, i found myself discombobulated commercial and government pocket policy for the second time in a few weeks. Having told the readers of the journal in terms that there was no question of there being an early general election, because it was not in the Prime Ministers get to deliver it. Because of the fixed term that decision lies with the majority of twothirds of the members of the house of commons. And as i told them with absolute confidence, turkeys will not vote for christmas. I congratulate my right honorable friend for having achieved the impossible and secured the fact that today those turkeys will indeed vote for that. The reason why i read the opinion reached the that it did that in election was necessary was personally, during the passage in the debate on the article 50 bill, member after member opposite got up and announced their that notwithstanding having voted to remain, there were now going to abide by the will of their constituents. Let us every opportunity, they cheered to the rafters, those who spoke out and say they remain with the 48 and believe so proceeding as events unfolded that 48 would become a majority. They pursued a strategy of desperation, a strategy of hang on something might turn up whether something was the long promised economic shock or whatever. But that strategy of hang on requires an essential ingredient, delay and delay was the tactic that they clearly pursued throughout the preceding of that bill with the amendments that they tabled. And they promised there would be more. Now, with respect to the other place, the other place is not bound currently irrespective of the governments policy by convention. My honorable friend and i were invited to debate in front of a city audience recently. The motion that the United Kingdom is leaving the eu, and two highly respected peers, lord butler former cabinet secretary and dorchester, one of our primary human rights lawyers argued the case that we would not leave the European Union because they were in a position to prevent it and would do so. It is essential therefore, i believe, that the policies the Prime Minister have announced a pursuing a general election and securing a mandate in this house and a mandate to bind the other house in respect to the convention is absolutely necessary. Im confident that she will achieve that majority because im confident that she will be backed by the oval and majority of this nation who, as i, and she will know, that i voted for every other possible candidate for the leadership of the tory Party Last Year [laughing] in order to avoid her becoming leader. I have to tell her that i have become her greatest thing in. [shouting] and my constituents recognize and tell me continuously, she is doing magnificently and may she long continue to do so. [shouting] angus robertson. Thank you, mr. Speaker. As the Prime Minister has said she wants unity and she said she wants an end to division and chin sends to do that by crushing opposition with political opponents described as saboteurs, something i invited her earlier to take a distance from her she was not prepared to. This is not a vision or an understanding of mainstream democracy that i share with the Prime Minister. For months we have heard from her that now is not the time for the public to vote, that no one wants it, that its important to get on with the day job. Weve been told that the Prime Minister needs to concentrate all of her time on brexit negotiations, and that nothing nothing should get in the way. But no, as weve all learned in the last 24 hours, all of that was empty rhetoric. And there are two key reasons why there is going to be a general election. And the first is totally politically expedience. It is about the lawful unelectable state of the labour party, and that is the reason of political expediency to hold an election. It is about not wanting to repeat the political air that gordon brown made, and a mr. Speaker, wants to receive her own electoral mandate and christ political opposition in england. The second reason for holding an early general election is that it finally dawned on the uk government that the brexit negotiations are going to be very, very difficult. And the realities of the is not yet fully gone on the public. And as one commentator wrote just in a moment, if i can make progress on this report. As one commentator wrote today, the eu is not going to roll over and give the uk free and frictionless access to the internal market. The transfer is cutting and running, getting a voting before the reality of how brexit hits home. And can i tell the Prime Minister that while she think she could get her way with all of this against the labour party in england, she will not, she will not get away with it in scotland. I thanked him for giving way on the subject of hard brexit, does he agree with me that it is incumbent upon those to set a very clearly what the assessment of the impacts on jobs is going to be and thus coming out in a Single Market and the Customs Union . That would be an opportunity in a normal general Election Campaign where Party Leaders actually debate that issues on the record. But theres been interesting to develop and since the debate. Ive noticed colleagues looking at the mobile phones because i think he is concerned there is going to be a debate. And looking around at other Party Leaders in the chamber, and look at the leader of the opposition, a lead of the opposition entity to take part of the debate . By his face he will probably take part of the television debate. Where the leader of the liberal democrats and leader of the green party and colleagues i make my point. It is unsustainable in in the 21st century, in a multimedia age to go to the country and not to debate the [shouting] the notion, the notion that the uk Prime Minister might be because shes not prepared to stand up for her arguments is just not sustainable. Perhaps she would wish that the honorable gentleman who is seeking would take her place instead. As i said in the house, mr. Speaker, yesterday, i hope that the Prime Minister does go head to head with the leaders of other parties. [shouting] its quite simple, mr. Speaker. She would floor them all. [shouting] and i dont think she would manage it [inaudible] butbut i am surprised and i welcome, i welcome the honorable gentleman had to say in encouragement to the Prime Minister. Because i think the public deserves a debate, more than one debate, during the Election Campaign. I think the Prime Minister should have some more confidence in herself. I think she should be prepared to address the country and to debate the ideas that all the different Political Parties across the uk have. But we have already learned in scotland that the Prime Minister is prepared to ignore the mandates and wishes of the scottish elections, of the Scottish Parliament and of the Scottish Government. So why would anybody in scotland, why would anyone in scotland vote for such a dismissive and disrespectful party and Prime Minister . I need to make some progress. Time is limited. I will try to take some interventions later. The Prime Minister promised that she would have a unified approach with all the governments, and equipment before triggering brexit. She didnt. She broke her word. And as we learned in recent weeks, in connection with the appalling rate flaws, the one thing that the scottish tories dont like talking about is tory policy. This election will highlight the dangers to scotland of [inaudible] and we live with one of the most unequal countries in the developed world but the tories want to make even more unfair. Experts say that the policies will cost the largest increase in inequality since the days of margaret thatcher. Happy to give way to the leader. Im grateful to him for giving way. Does he agree with me that if this election is as the Prime Minister says about the more secure future to this country, that is an election such National Significance, we should have an early change in the laws, britains 1. 5 million, 15 and 17yearolds say in in what would be very much their future on the eighth of june . Making speech about and franchising 16 and 17yearolds. I totally agree. It is against unsustainable the young people up and given the vote for some elections and referenda but should be denied it in others. I give way to the audible gentleman. He will be aware that Supreme Court made it abundantly clear at all the judges decide on the unanimous basis that issues concerning brexit negotiation should be determined by this house which represents the whole of the United Kingdom and that this was not an issue to be decided by any of the default institutions. Which does he have a problem understanding . The thing i have a difficult aniston is the commencement that Prime Minister gay. She gave it when she came to edinburgh. It was on the front page. It was there in terms that she wanted to see a uk wide approach and agreement, so the honorable gentleman may want to rewrite history but she gave an agreement picture did not reach an agreement. Mr. Speaker, the six term of the act was supposed to stop Political Party abusing deposition and putting party before country. Today, the tories are going to do just that. But sadly, sadly the labour party is going to vote with the tories and make life easy for them. We will not vote with the tories but given the reality that the labour party is going to be voting with the tories, there will be a general election and boy, we look forward to that. [shouting] because in scotland [shouting] order. Mr. Morris, normally you have good manners. Ordering upon the simile can you become rather over excited. Calm yourself. Take some kind of soothing medicine. It will have a soothing impact. A general election will be a two or three. A straight fight between the snp and the tories. And do i think that mainstream scotts regards of whether they voted remain or leave what about for a hard toward brexit . No, i dont. Will those mainstream scotts vote for more rested and cuts to Public Services . No, i dont. And while those scotts vote for a party that is actively undermining the mandate already given by the voters in a scottish general election for people in scotland to determine their own future . No, i do not. We on these benches we work hard for every vote and everything in scotland. And, mr. Speaker, we look forward to defeating the tories in this general election. [shouting] order. There are at least ten people wanted to speak. We have less than one hour. Members can do the arithmetic for themselves. It would be appreciated if each member would help other members. Thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I welcome the courage the Prime Minister has shown in taking this question to the public. Who is it there expecting to lead the country for the next five years . I have to say having followed the last speaker i can assure the public it will not be the right honorable gentleman. I think the public will be having to think long and hard because brexit is coming. This is not about no, this is very time of the unlike everybody to give a chance to speak. This is not about as in here. This is about the future for the British Public, that they deserve. This is about delivering the best possible outcome for this country as we leave the European Union. And i i know that we have that election on june 8 there will be individual members here who may well find themselves in difficulties with their constituency. For whatever reason that expressed about the leadership. I am proud to be standing behind a Prime Minister who has made it brutally clear that this is not about making games in this place. This is about delivering a brexit but it is good for the European Union as well, i have to say, getting a relationship with the European Union in the future is going to be hugely important. But this is going to be a question that will be posed to constituencies. Of the leaders that could be the Prime Minister, that is not what were going to be asking the question. Does this country believe that the leader for the north could lead this country . I suspect the large number of his colleagues on his own back benches would say no, and i would suggest that the visits is in my constituency with equally say no. Does the leader for, sorry, westmoreland and lonsdale whose voting record and attendance in this house along with his colleagues is generally pretty low . Are two here today. There were none here to vote on the budget yesterday. Does he really believe that he can lead this country . I suggest no. I would suggest the British Public when they are looking who do vote for on the eighth of june will look forward with confidence to a Prime Minister with an increased mandate to take us to the next five years. And i am delighted that she is giving this opportunity for the country to examine our record. Since almost 201073 youth unemployment have dropped, and extra i can hear liberal democrats who are in my constituencies who i have to say i hear nothing from in the house. Its very surprising, mr. Speaker, that they are more interested in campaigning and less interested in running the country. This party, our government has taken a strong stance. And as i said, mr. Speaker, there are two such in youth unemployment since 2010. There is 76 increase in young people going into apprenticeship. Those other records will be putting to the public. Brexit is happening. We are going to make the best of it, and i believe our Prime Minister will not have too, will not have to suffer when hundred and elected liberal democrats in other place, and night in this place who rarely turn up, trying to tie the tale of this Prime Minister. We need to make the future secure no, im going to finish my remarks. We need to make the future secure for all on the young people, for all our families. And this gameplay and in this place does a disservice to the British Public. They are probably fed up with having elections anyway but lets get on and get a mandate for our Prime Minister. Please, please did honorable lady. The public do not respect the fact people yell from the back benches. She can speak up for her own leader, her own leader, her own manifesto on her own party and why she believes her own leader would be the person to take the country through the next five years. I would not sure confidence patient of his has a lot of confidence in his capability. I know that this government which isnt so much already and has so much more to deliver will have with the British Public when a look at whats offered from the other party who are divided, wrangling, fear mongering and in brexit denial. This government will give us the best deal for all of our businesses at all of our constituency. Mr. Speaker, appropriate time to be called. I know this is a tweet from david cameron, the former Prime Minister, im sure we all remember fondly, and earlier welcoming the Prime Minister, welcoming the Prime Minister decision to call an early election. Given that were in this mess in one sense as a country, because he put party before country calling the referendum when he did come it is hardly the choice, hardly surprising that the Prime Minister should follow him and indeed she has put party before country once again. Lets remember the first, for the moment that she took office that Prime Minister has ignored the closeness of the referendum vote, the hardest form of brexit driving division instead of cohesion and she is ignored him the british people, british businesses, British Public sector and the National Health service. And now in what is clearly another act of putting ones party for ones country, she has chosen an early election. Lets not by this nonsense. Not because she needs a mandate to deliver brexit percolated party has given her a mandate to deliver brexit she is acting upon the narrow majority of the referendum in 2016. Not for the moment. Not for the moment. But she, lets be all very honest and clear about this. She has chosen this election because she looked across the dispatch box and she could not resist the temptation of doing the political equivalent of taking candy from a baby and facing a labour party in a general election. She expects, she expects a coronation and not a contest. And that is why the liberal democrats relish the chance of a jump election. I will give way to my im very grateful for him giving way. Given what is just at about a coronation, will he [inaudible] we face in this country, the Prime Minister is running on expectation there will be no for any college with anybody. The Prime Minister has [shouting] in good time. In order, in order to take [inaudible] what she figures come what she thinks is a a clear opportunity for the majority of 100 [inaudible] order. It is very clear that women talking about the Prime Minister takes the view that in calling this election is the opportunity for her to have a 100 seat majority. An opportunity to drive, not just a half brexit but indeed her agenda order. Order. Order. The rather disorderly the honorable member is undertaking apprenticeship to become a statesman. [laughing] he has several more years to go. He must calm himself. Hes listening to one statesman. My friend of many shouting them below, that the rally is we are not looking at balance bar. The Prime Minister has clearly i i think ive given you the answer. The Prime Minister is clearly called this election with the understanding that she can [shouting] givers of the majority to allow us not the time being, thank you. But a lovers of deliver brexit, to shrink our National Health service, to undermine the support for our education and indeed to take us out of the Single Market. You want to avoid hard brexit or if you want to keep britain in the Single Market, if you want a britain that has a decent opposition, a decent opposition, then only the liberal democrats will give you the final say. Cant i just point out, may i point out, theres only one route, mr. Speaker, to the Prime Minister losing this general election and its a liberal democrat route. [shouting] i am happy to explain, i am happy to explain why that may be the case. No, there is not that much time. Let me move on. Let me explain why the only route, the only route through they can only gain from the conservative party. Nobody believes, not even the labour party believes the labour party will beginning season is general election. The only outcome that does not lead to a conservative majority is a liberal democrat revival. The negotiating stance from the rhetoric we have already seen. We to say to that, which is not real enough. F they will not tell us what they are pursuing, they should give us a say on the final deal. The Prime Minister has confirmed she will not do any debates referring to the hard right as a brexit vote. And present her face to the british people. Mr. Speaker, to help the honorable gentleman, i think he has misheard. Give us a straight answer, or you rule out a coalition with the tories. Yes, or no. This generalf election is uncertain and in the days and weeks to come, we will not doubt talk about what will honorable gentleman below need to, they are pushing me, i am sure. They need to be a little bit patient and their patience will be rewarded. I dont think the honorable member gave us a straight answer to that question. So, lets try another question. A lot of these views will be asked about over the neck several weeks. You are asked one question, which he refused to give an answer to. Does the general member think that being gay is a sin . I do not. And i tell you what, i am very proud to have lobbied behind the honorable gentleman there in the Coalition Government where the liberal institute for gay marriage, and did not go as far as it should have done in terms of recognizing gender rights. However, there is much more to be done. And if we campaign for a burn tolerance in society, we need to make sure we do not be complacent about lgbt rights, and not just here, but in other places in the world. Let me just say this. I wont, thank you. Lets move on. There are other people. I am flattered so many people want to know my views. You can have more chances to scrutinize me. The we had, with referendum last june was a vote to start the process of giving the Prime Minister a mandate to negotiate brexit. What was not given is the mandate to give the Prime Minister the right to enact any old deal at the end of the process. What the Prime Minister is asking for now is a blank check to allow the british people to put up with whatever she and the brussels bureaucrats bring together over the next two years. That is not democracy. An election that takes place on june 8 will not decide that outcome. It will be about imposing on the british people a deal that absolutely nobody voted for. Yes, the liberal democrats welcome this opportunity to show the british u people there is another way. The values of openness and fairness and help successful communities and create opportunities across the whole of the United Kingdom and beyond. The government has made it clear this is not the bridge and they believe in. They have chosen meanness over fairness. This is why, mr. Speaker, we will support this motion. Order. On account of the level of interest and there is only 37 minutes to go, i will impose a threeminute limit in ages. I hope i can take up less time. It is a great honor to follow the honorable gentleman. I had hoped to be with him on one thing in his speech. I hope he has ruled out coming into us as a coalition. I can tell you from these badges, there is no chance that we would want you, sir, in the Coalition Come or any government. Today, the Party Politics is in full swing. Really, sir, this is a good day for parliament. This is another slight step towards parliamentary democracy, rather than dictates by the executive. The Prime Minister has not called a general election. It is this house that will decide whether there will be a general election. If i thought for one moment that this election in a moment, sir if i fell for one moment that this election was being called for party have an political reasons to go early to the country, as happened with previous governments. Previous governments chose the moment to go for political advantage. They gave great power to the executive. A strange number of circumstances have come together. Weve had a change in the Prime Minister. The only the Prime Minister, but we have had a change in all the senior ministers. We moved from a government that was antibrexit to probrexit. Cast my vote will today in support of the government motion. And it is up to every member in this house to make that decision. I think that proves that the Fix Parliament act is working. I absolutely if the members disagree of course, the honorable gentleman. Thank you, very much. He said it is parliament that will decide. But yesterday, the Prime Minister said clearly there would be a general election. If she does not get the 422 mps, t to the Prime Minister resign after such a public you million shouldnt . But speak about the advantage of the parliament act. If the house does not agree to the general election, it will not happen and the government will continue in office. Of course, opposition members that dont want a general election will be very strange creatures indeed. But also because opposition members that sit on their hands that dont vote will be regarded as aimpotent members of parliament. I hope the honorable gentleman will make his mind up and cast his vote one way or the other. Isnt that why the Fix Parliament act could never work because no opposition could sensibly say they prefer the government, rather than having the chance of defeating a. Therefore, the act does not fit within our constitution and ought to go. Very rarely, sir, i will disagree with my honorable friend. I think there is proof today that it is working, that we will have the required majority. I understand sir that if nobody objects and you decide the matter on the voices, it in fact, is carried and we dont have to actually have 2 3, which i think is a strange anomaly. I hope somebody will shout no. I will not be doing that today. As you know, you have to follow how you vote has to follow your voice, and i would never dream of doing anything other than that. The Party Politics, this is a great day for parliament and a small step forward in parliamentary democracy. Mr. Speaker, there are three issues i want to address. The first is this election is happening amidst political discussions in Northern Ireland. That is unfortunate. I want to make it clear as far as our party is concerned, we respond positively to the request for discussions to continue in Northern Ireland. We have made it very clear, svlt, that we are ready to form an executive in Northern Ireland. We do not believe in sending preconditions about things that are not important and views and the future oflp our problems in Public Services. Those things are far more important than the issues that are set to divide us. We are ready to get that executive up and running today, next week, whenever. We dont need prolonged or negotiations. The second thing i wanted to say, mr. Speaker, in terms of the brexit, Northern Irelands position is different. That has been made clear in the governments paper that it set out. It is recognized. We believe it is absolutely imperative that Northern Irelands voice is heard strongly. Thats why it is such a tragedy that the executive collapse has been locked away from. We have been forced into an unnecessary assembly election. It demands a special status, which has been rejected by the irish republic, the european europeand even the parliament, when it set out negotiating the position. Nobody except a special status nobody accepts a special status. Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely essential that the election is not going to happen. When a party that was walked away from, a party that will enter the government in Northern Ireland, takes its seeds here, contributes and raises its voice and stands up for Northern Ireland. The final thing i want to say is this. The only big issue about Going Forward this election will provide clarity on the union, the human that really matters, the union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. On the issue, the people of Northern Ireland will have a clear choice as to whether or not they will want to rally around and say firmly that they want Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom, or whether they want to go down the histe presented, which is t marxist concept of a republic, which has been rejected even by most people who accept their nationalism, but reject what they stand for in terms of the economic outlook. The only way to support the union is by rallying behind the Democratic Party on june 8. , i have annister adaptive phrase from mr. Tony blair. She is a former home secretary. Theknows full well evidence as this is proved. Firstly, she was initially in favor of leaving the European Union. Even if i disagree with her. Then she was in favor of remaining in the European Union. Loose in hernning decision to leave. Secondly, she was opposed to holding an early general election. It will be a distraction from domestic matters when she has national the she wishes to conclude. Now, she is equally determined the general election we must have. Mr. Speaker, against the European Union, for the European Union, and then against again. Against holding a general election, and now determined to have a general election. Mr. Speaker, the record speaks about the European Union bananas. [laughter] the Prime Minister today repeatedly says she does not want to produce a larger tory majority. Assumes the election will result in a larger tory majority. She admits thereby, she has no plan at all for this country if she does not get that result. I have no crystal ball. Right. This is to my who knows what the outcome would be. I am suspicious of the Prime Ministers motives and her reasoning. I cannot see how this will be the case. However, mr. Speaker, to respond briefly to what i do think the Prime Ministers motives are, they are pretty clear. It is not only about the reflection of the labour party over the next decade or so, unfortunately. They are doing a pretty effective demolition job themselves with that help. It is not only about raising a challenge to my friends in scotland, though i think in this case, it is already lost. No, mr. Speaker, this election is about seeing off this side of the house, and her enemies behind her. S they did with the tories, very briefly, mr. Speaker, my Party Welcomes the opportunity this election represents to the people of wales. We welcome the opportunity for the people of wales to change our course in the longterm, away from labours, away from london. Ernment in theyre looking for social justice and the proper confident place for wales in the world. Here. The Prime Minister took office and said, we have this government, and there will be less travesty. But at every opportunity she there was going to be a general election. Where was the general election, they were asked . The outcome was 2020. There is no great public demand for a general election. How many of us have received letters andy mills clamoring for a general election . Z and emails clamoring for a general election. Letters and females clamoring for a general election . Hands up. The reason given by the front minister for the general election is the brexit. It is a flimsy excuse. Now, my honorable friends of the government should not be complacent about getting a large majority. Indeed, hopefully they will not see such a large majority. When you consider the harm done to the people in need, to the disabled, to the vulnerable, to thisow paid with government, imagine what would happen if there was a large tory majority. It would be a nightmare, an absolute nightmare for those who we represent. Millions of people in this country need the government to protect them, and not to harm them. That will not come from a tory government, either with a small, and not with a large majority. I was here during the tory government of the 1980s. I saw too well the harm done to my constituents and so many others. Iss motion is murky, it completely opportunist. It reflects badly on the Prime Minister. Conclude with these words. Many people are concerned about the politics of these country and that is a trend that has increased with whoever has the responsibility for producing the cynical class. I do say that this motion and this general election, which is coming purely for opportunist reasons, we have increased that cynical feeling. That is very damaging, indeed. Here, here. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I too will be voting against the motion today. I think its totally unnecessary. I say that as somebody who voted leave on june 23, and since then, has had a grudging respect for the way the Prime Minister has conducted herself since she took over. However, the justification she has given for having a general election is quite frankly disingenuous. To suggest she needs a mandate to negotiate brexit is just ridiculous. She was given that mandate on june 24 by a majority of the british people. It is up to her now to carry that out. If she then wishes to have another election at the end of the process, we ought to have another referendum, then so be it. But to justify it now, is just as my honorable colleague said, purely opportunistic. Furthermore, she says she needs the majority because her business of the house is likely to be disrupted by an opposition party, or by the house of lords. Well, she ought to look back to what happened when the wilson government, in power between 1964 and 1966 he had a majority of three. The callahan government in the 1970s. D for fivene years without any majority. If she is fearful what could happen from the house of lords, she should do what tories have done in the past and fill the place with their own people to ensure she gets her way. There is no justification for arguing that she needs to have a larger majority in order to get the business of the house through. Furthermore, the quite frankly, arrogant view that the electorate should concentrate isply on one narrow issue treating the electorate with contempt. I can only speak for my constituents, but when they consider the issues, they will isasking the questions, why my constituency losing out . Why is the city council having horrendous cuts . Why are waiting times at local hospitals increasing because there were not enough staff . Why are more working families thank you, mr. Speaker. Hisst wanted to add, in questioning about why things were happening to his constituency, i wanted to ask if he would address questions regarding why my childrens school, they are going from having 32 children in thier class. I dont remember that happening under the government. I thank my honorable colleague and of course, she is right. Under a local government we had educational programs. We had centers under this government. First of all, the program was stopped. And sure Start Centers are being opposed left, right, and center. Asky constituents will other questions. Why is it that more hardworking families are being forced into the humiliation of having to use food stamps because they dont have enough money at the end of the week to feed and clothe their families . Why are Energy Consumers paying everincreasing prices, while the Energy Utility firms are ripping them off in the name of competition . And why are young people, married and unmarried, unable to acquire proper housing for themselves and very often have to stay with their inlaws . Mr. Speaker, these views will be echoed throughout the country. There is no justification for this election and i will be opposing it. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I will be supporting the motion. Bizarre that the opposition should say, we want to keep a tory government in power. It makes no sense. We have to put our case to the british people and see what happens. We have arrived at a position today which i always thought was inevitable. This was bound to happen. There is a political dynamic at work here, which has resulted we made this decision almost inevitable. Given he will support the government, is he then confident we will not have a tory government returning after the election with two more years . What is the follow through on his actions . To do whatever you can to get rid of a tory government, as soon as you can. That might not work. But it is up to the british people in the election. It is their choice. Ent of wanted to pay a mom tribute to mr. David cameron. , in the early part of the 21st century, he was probably one of the most prominent tribute, not a particularly glorious tribute, but decisions he made will over time, damage this country immensely. I remember serving on the original referendum bill. Sitting in the mee ting. One evening, the then Prime Minister, david cameron, actually came into the Committee Room, i think it was Committee Room seven or eight, and sat in the public gathering. Right wingers more on that party. I have never heard of or seen a ime minister having to [inaudible] he gave them the guarantee within the referendum. He did not say we would renegotiate the terms. Have them inill our referendum. This is the consequence of that. When i say he will go down as one of the most damaging prime also put ate has jeopardy the future of the United Kingdom. Not just as a trading nation, not just our relationship with the European Union, but the as part ofcotland the United Kingdom. Again, it was he who brought up the referendum in the first place, which set the dynamic and play and destroy the labour party in scotland. Has put in jeopardy our relationship with the republic of ireland. The duphe gentleman in mentioned earlier, put at risk the stability of Northern Ireland. So, i think all of these things add up. The damage that has been done will be with us for decades. The people who pay will be the young people, the next generation, and those who come after. I dont think it will change anything. I think the essential landscape will remain much the same after the election as it is now. It will all follow from the calamitous decision of last june to leave the European Union. Politics is not religion. People do things for their own political reasons and every promised her has always done that. Mr. Speaker i was not intending to speak in this debate, but in response to a question posed by the honorable member, he would not let me intervene to respond to, i just want to make a couple points. I have received emails from constituents, asking me to encourage the Prime Minister to call a general election and go to the country once again. He seemed to be implying that nobody in the country was asking for this, but there were members of my constituency who were asking me to do that. When the Prime Minister did make the announcement yesterday, initially i would say i was in shock. Like my honorable member friend, i was boldly telling people there was no chance of a general election happening. Far to put go as into the local payer, but verbally and in emails, i was telling people it was not going to happen. But having listened to the reasons the Prime Minister gave yesterday, i have come to the decision where i believe it is the right thing for the country. We obtained a new mandate to go into the negotiation to leave the eu and put the Prime Minister and the others negotiating in the strongest possible position in those negotiations. Let me also say, i am happy to stand on this governments record of delivering for this country. This is not just about the brexit negotiations. It is about this government that has delivered growth, one of the best performing economies in the world, Record Numbers of jobs, great investment in our nhs. I very proud to go to the country and say, let us continue with the job we are doing on these ventures for delivering what our country needs and continue to put us in the strongest possible position. I want to make one final point. If the conservative Party Returns into government with a substantially reduced majority, i say of the liberal democrat, will be except that is the will of the british people . They have returned to the conservative party with a clear mandate to press on and take us out of the European Union on the ground that the Prime Minister has set out and draw this opposition and gameplay to the will of the british people . Thank you, mr. Speaker. As somebody who believes the Prime Minister has presented the case for the selection, i too will be voting against the motion today. I was not asking for an election last week or the weeks before. I was arguing within the context of the talks. Would notreland, it help the context of those negotiations. My mind has not changed. So, why should i pretended has changed . Votingnot be game for differently because of the Prime Ministers actions and stances. She has accused others of plank is in this parliament. Thisf playing games in parliament. She has no confidence in parliament. We have this bizarre situation with the referendum, and a Prime Minister who announces she has no confidence in parliament. She does not trust parties in the opposition. And of course, she has her complaints about the house lord. If members are concerned about democratic abolish reform, stop using them as props in this argument. The Prime Minister is pretending she needs the election now so a strong hand in a short term. What we know she is after is a free hand in the longterm, in terms of the periods of adjustment, and other things that many of her colleagues have spoken of. I give way. I appreciate the nearest parallel to what is happening now that what is happening now in this campaign for an election is porter. Iorder. I would like him to face the house. Well, you are busy talking. I was being spoken to by an illustrious member of the opposition. We will hear from the honorable member. The nearest parallel is the election of 1974, when the then Prime Minister decided on a very narrow argument that the miners were on strike and that it would be about who runs the country. And most general elections are about a lot of things. This one was about a specific thing. I say to my honorable friend, what has happened is the labour party finished up with the largest number of seats and the a said combination of the liberals ran away. I appreciate the honorable members intervention. Point, ifso make the youre going to make a comparison, an unforeseen casualty was the agreement, the powersharing executive that was yeard out of the late 1973 was a consequence of that election. Election has, this been, without regards to the fact that there are sensitive negotiations ongoing in Northern Ireland. It is very hard to see how this general election having that will not have an impact on those negotiations. One, it will probably call or the attitude of parties to some of the issues they are dealing with, it will color the attitude they have for each other. The British Government will be in a position to give the context ofmmitments in the those negotiations. How will we get any sort of comprehensive agreement in those circumstances . As somebody who is bright for the Party Agreement and for the implementation, i do not take those issues lightly. Want to make sure we have the agreement fully protected. Saboteurhy i am no when it comes to anything imposed by the referendum, least of all what the average people endorsed. I worry about the implications of the brexit. I wary about the fact that the government is in denial about the fact that the process of brexit has applications for that agreement. But of course, i do recognize that the agreement gives us the machinery to answer a lot of the questions and challenges for the island of ireland, in terms of brexit. It gives us the material to make sure we can operate in the future in ways that continue to be supported by the eu. We can treat the island as a Single Market. Years, we look forward to this election in a positive way. But there is no pretense that the election was necessary and that the Prime Minister is justified. Nor do we buy the pretense that member isble correct. I believe this is the sort of thing that gives politics a bad name in our country. It is speaking to the alienation of many of our citizens. This was only one reason why the Prime Minister wanted a general election on june 8. She figures she has a better chance of winning now than she does in the future. It is therefore the most blatant abuse of the democratic procedure for Party Political advantage. I hope if this Campaign Goes on it will be seen as that. This has nothing to do with the countrys interests, and everything to do with the management of the conservative party. I have two reasons. The protesters suggested she needed a majority. The Prime Minister suggested she needed a majority. She has not lost any vote on brexit last year. Lost with any majority less than 30 . The majority is already there. She says this will give clarity to the brexit process. We have been working for 10 long months to give clarity to the brexit process. Every question we have asked has been met with the refusal to say what brexit does mean. I dont believe for one minute that the Tory Party Manifesto for june 8 will spell out what the plan for britain is post brexit. We will not be any clearer after this election as to what brexit means. The media are reporting that after 30 sitting tory mps facing prosecutors, they will be announced the intent to press charges very sent. Does my right honorable friend think this might have anything to do with the Prime Ministers change of heart . Yes, i do. I think it is remarkably suspicious. My concern is that what the Prime Minister wants to do is to silence dissent and disagreement in this house and country, and therefore, her instincts are not democratic. They are authoritarian. That is a great worry for our country. Mr. Speaker, can i just turned to the situation in scotland. There are two reasons why the people of scotland should be given another choice on selfgovernment. The first is not because the people who lost the referendum in 2014 dont respect the result, but because the people who won the referendum changed the deal afterwards. It is not the kingdom that people voted to be part of. Ae second is, despite compromised position by the , it was government thrown back in our faces. There is no option now but to offer people in scotland the opportunity and the choice between having a hard toward isolationist britain, are taking control into their own hands. This is not required as amended to have that second referendum. This will be a judgment, Prime Minister, on you refusal to agree to the wishes of the Scottish Parliament. And i have to ask this, if the conservative party loses the general election in scotland, will you stop blocking the right of the scottish people to have a choice . That is pretty unfair. Northern ireland is in a brittle state. We have no government. I wondered if the Prime Minister fully consider what could happen to us there . I was given an excellent answer as to the opposition of the union and i am grateful for that. I want to get to my three points. One is not about this election. We fully support todays election. The public in Northern Ireland have had so many elections. They see no point in another assembly election. If you watched what was going on watched people in west belfast marching, carrying the European Union flag as if it was their banner, brexit for us is a very different and brittle world. We need to find the right way forward. It is going to be used to really try to break up the union and we need that support. Thei ask you, that in manifesto, they look at how they deal with Northern Irelands special status, and also how you look in that manifesto of ensuring we have a workable government in the future. We need change and that is what the union is lobbying about, getting back to the central parties running Northern Ireland. Finally, the last one, to make sure the manifesto looks after our armed forces, our ex servicemen. It is not protecting those people that should be protected for doing their duty. We will support the motion today. Thank you, mr. Speaker. As a several members have already pointed out today, the Prime Minister heads up a party with a majority gained in the last general election. To stand there and give know, will want to she refused to answer the questions. She refused to answer the questions about election cheating. [inaudible] point of order. Mr. Speaker, twice the honorable member has been accused of cheating. There is no proof of cheating and he should withdraw his remarks. I think it is a matter of taste rather than order, but the honorable lady has made her point and it is on the record. [inaudible] answer. Ould not there is no evidence going in. Consistently ignore the parliament. I asked her, show us. [inaudible] the Prime Minister needs 433 mps to support her today. She has gone on television and told the world there will be a general election. If parliament does not back her, if she does not have 433, will the Prime Minister resigned . Prime minister resign . Under the standing order, i must now put the question. The question is that there shall be an early parliamentary general election. Say, aye aye. On the contrary, no. Aye on the contrary, no no. Cspan washington journal, live every day with news and policy issues that impact you. Monday morning, Associated Press White House Reporter Catherine Lucy and political reporter discuss the week ahead in congress. Then, marketwatch reporter Jillian Berman on the future of student loan forgiveness programs. Watch cspans washington a. M. L, live 7 00 join the discussion. For theesults are in first round of voting in the french president ial election. The two candidates receiving the most votes are former French Economy minister Emmanuel Macron and National Friend leader marine le pen. They will now face a runoff vote on may 7 two determine who becomes the next president of france. It is the first time in modern french history that the president ial runoff will not feature a major party candidate. Next, a look at some of the election coverage, including speeches from the candidates. This is courtesy of france 24. There we have it. A major upset in french political history. Emmanuel macron, the newcomer 23. 7 of thep, 43. 7 o vote, head of marine le pens