M-02: Conditional Referendum on the Single Currency

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Elizabeth Tanner
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Re: M-02: Conditional Referendum on the Single Currency

Post by Elizabeth Tanner »

Madam Speaker,

The Government really can never make certain opposition members happy, can we? When the Conservatives think the Government won’t debate they complain and whine to the press. When the Government does allow time for a motion they complain and whine to the press about how awful I am. Well, I’m sure I will be able to handle it in the fullness of time. The Government granted time for this motion for one simple reason, because we believe that Parliament deserved the chance to debate this issue and to make their voice heard and I am glad that we are having the chance to do this now.

And while the Leader of the Opposition has grown very fond of calling me opposed to democratic consultation, nothing could be further from the truth, I just don’t believe that every decision must be decided right now. The British people have elected all of us as their representatives, to take decisions on their behalf and while there are times when we should go back to the British people for the consent on very specific or complex questions we must also do the job that we are elected and paid very well to do.

Now, it will surprise no one that I oppose this motion. Wholeheartedly. This motion is much like the tenure of the Leader of the Opposition as reported in the press by himself - rushed and unnecessary. There is no need for a motion to rule out the euro, because the five tests have not been met which means we will not pursue the euro. There is no need for a motion on a referendum now, because the five tests have not been met, are unlikely to be met soon during the course of this Parliament, and it is Government policy for there to be a referendum if we do pursue the euro.

This motion, Madam Speaker, is simply a smokescreen for the Leader of the Opposition to obfuscate and to appear like he is actually trying to achieve something. As he said in his speech, that this motion is to satisfy his duty to the Conservative Party - pure partisan politicking once again. The British people deserve much better than that, which is why they returned a Labour government and not his party. It is why they supported my party and our considered approach to the Euro, that we should only ever consider the euro once it would work in the British economy’s favour. The Opposition has decided that these five tests are some plot of the Treasury to lay groundwork for our inevitable entry into the euro. Well, I must disappoint them, because nothing is inevitable and the five tests are more of a protection of the pound and the British economy, because until they are met, if they are met, the pound stays.

I would also like to re-emphasise the points made by my right honourable friend the Home Secretary and others. Over recent decades we saw the Conservative party make mistake, after mistake, after mistake when it came to anything to do with Europe. The ERM and Black Wednesday was one of the greatest economic scandals forced on Britain. It was caused by a Conservative Government rushing into a decision before all the facts were known. Now, where have we heard that before about a Conservative Party leader and he even appoints the adviser of the former Chancellor responsible as his Shadow Chancellor. As a party they can not get themselves together, even to this day they are riven by divisions, they are set to tear themselves apart once this motion has been voted on. I can already sense the member for Beverley and Holderness just raring to go to continue to build her party within the conservative party even further. The hubris of this Conservative party is almost too much to witness.

Madam Speaker, it has always been the intention of this Government to consult the British people if we were to proceed with the euro. A new currency would never have the support required if this was a decision taken by a few politicians in Westminster. The Government has always been clear on that. The British people know that. The only people that do not know this are the members sat opposite, but in all reality I think they do know it but when has that ever gotten in the way of scoring a political point.

As colleagues have said during this debate, this motion is not about democracy or democratic engagement. It is about the Leader of the Opposition and his politicking. It comes with the job of being Leader of the Opposition - out of power and out of influence all they can do is attempt to cause bloody noses. Well, the British people see through this motion and the British people will see through the Conservative Party’s abject failure.

I urge members to vote against this motion.
Elizabeth Tanner
MP for Westminster North

First Secretary of State
Secretary of State for Foreign, Defence and Commonwealth Affairs
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Elizabeth Tanner
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Re: M-02: Conditional Referendum on the Single Currency

Post by Elizabeth Tanner »

Margaret Beckett MP - Leader of the House

I move that this motion now proceed to a vote.
Elizabeth Tanner
MP for Westminster North

First Secretary of State
Secretary of State for Foreign, Defence and Commonwealth Affairs
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Barclay A.A. Stanley
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Re: M-02: Conditional Referendum on the Single Currency

Post by Barclay A.A. Stanley »

BB: Order! Division, clear the lobbies.
Lt. Col. Sir Barclay A.A. Stanley, Rtd., KBE
Member of Parliament for Macclesfield

Armed with nothing but a pint of gin, Sir Barclay went to battle against the forces of Communism, Socialism, and Liberalism.
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Sir Jack Anderson
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Re: M-02: Conditional Referendum on the Single Currency

Post by Sir Jack Anderson »

No.
Sir Jack Anderson
Labour Party.
Member of Parliament for Southampton Test
Chair of the Treasury Select Committee. (2000-2001)
Chancellor of the Exchequer. (2001-)
First Secretary of State. (2001-)
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Clarice Ashbridge
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Re: M-02: Conditional Referendum on the Single Currency

Post by Clarice Ashbridge »

Aye
The Hon. Clarice Ashbridge MP, Lady Ashbridge
Scottish Conservative and Unionist
Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department (October 2001 - present)
Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities (June 2001 - present)
MP for Eastwood (2001 - present)
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Ege
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Re: M-02: Conditional Referendum on the Single Currency

Post by Ege »

follows Sir Jack to the No lobby.

No
Annette Faure MP
Member for Blackpool South (2015-present)
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Rebecca Flair
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Re: M-02: Conditional Referendum on the Single Currency

Post by Rebecca Flair »

Abstain
Rebecca Flair
MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale 2010 - Present

Leader of the Liberal Democrats 2015 - Present
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Andy Edwards
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Re: M-02: Conditional Referendum on the Single Currency

Post by Andy Edwards »

Noe.
Andrew Edwards MP
MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston (1992-) | Labour
Secretary of State for the Home Office (2001-)
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Will Frost
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Re: M-02: Conditional Referendum on the Single Currency

Post by Will Frost »

Aye
Will Frost MP
Owain Jones
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Re: M-02: Conditional Referendum on the Single Currency

Post by Owain Jones »

No
Owain Jones
Conservative MP for Monmouth 1997 - Present
Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs
Tory Reform Group
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