UK Parliament / Open data

European Union (Referendum) Bill

Proceeding contribution from Mike Gapes (Labour) in the House of Commons on Friday, 22 November 2013. It occurred during Debate on bills on European Union (Referendum) Bill.

I accept that; it is another valid argument.

The second amendment I want to comment on is amendment 3, which was tabled by the hon. Member for Windsor. His position is that the referendum should be held in October 2014, five weeks after the referendum on Scottish separatism. I believe that there are problems with that date, because of the proximity to the other date, but I also believe that he is making the same point that I am making about the futility of having a hypothetical renegotiation. The Government have ruled out renegotiating now—the Foreign Secretary told the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs that there was no intention of starting any renegotiation in advance of a general election. This is therefore a status quo “as we are” alternative to a complete withdrawal. It is similar to the argument I have just made about holding the referendum a few months later, on the same day as the general election.

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

570 c1485 

Session

2013-14

Chamber / Committee

House of Commons chamber
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