I do not disagree with what the hon. Gentleman has been saying, but the fundamental rule of international law in regard to treaties is ““pacta sunt servanda””. Those who sign a treaty must abide by it. If Parliament does not like a treaty, it has a sovereign right to withdraw from it. We can withdraw from the European convention on human rights, which is concerned with deporting people and so forth, and we can do the same in regard to the European Union. That is not a nuclear option; it is a perfectly fair choice that this Parliament could take. I rather wonder whether that is the speech that the hon. Gentleman should be making.
European Union Bill
Proceeding contribution from
Denis MacShane
(Independent (affiliation))
in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 11 January 2011.
It occurred during Debate on bills
and
Committee of the Whole House (HC) on European Union Bill.
About this proceeding contribution
Reference
521 c179 Session
2010-12Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamberSubjects
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