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Parliamentary Partnership Assembly
06 December 2021
Lead MP
Jacob Rees-Mogg
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyBrexitForeign Affairs
Other Contributors: 21
At a Glance
Jacob Rees-Mogg raised concerns about parliamentary partnership assembly in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The motion seeks to establish a Parliamentary Partnership Assembly between the UK and EU Parliaments, as per Article 11 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The PPA will serve as a forum for exchanging views on the partnership, requesting relevant information from the Partnership Council, and making recommendations to it. Jacob Rees-Mogg suggests that procedures similar to those used by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, NATO PA, and OSCE PA should apply to the UK delegation's nomination, support, and funding. The proposed UK delegation will consist of 35 members: 21 MPs from this House and 14 peers, with party balances represented.
Claire Hanna
SDLP
Belfast South
Hanna questions how the different views, especially those of Northern Ireland, will be represented in the PPA. She mentions precedent from the Brexit Select Committee composition, which accommodated a range of views.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Shannon emphasises the importance of incorporating and speaking about the different traditions and viewpoints in Northern Ireland within the PPA, suggesting that this reflects Government intentions.
Bill Cash
Con
Stone
Cash suggests ensuring representation for members of the European Scrutiny Committee on the UK delegation to ensure a major contribution to the proposed assembly based on their extensive experience.
Peter Bone
Con
Wellingborough
Bone asks why the Democratic Unionist Party does not automatically have a right to a place on the UK delegation, considering its substantial presence in Parliament.
Margaret Ferrier
Ind
Rottenrow East
Ferrier stresses the importance of proper representation for Scotland and other devolved nations in the PPA's makeup, given that the trade and cooperation agreement impacts all four nations.
Bristol West
Expressed concerns about the lack of detail in the Government's motion to ratify the PPA. Questioned the frequency and reporting mechanisms for assembly meetings, the power of recommendations made by the PPA, the chair appointment process, representation from devolved legislatures, and the importance of maintaining good relations with the European Union post-Brexit.
Peter Bone
Con
Wellingborough
Expressed concern that Government Whips would decide on assembly membership instead of it being a parliamentary delegation.
Robert Goodwill
Con
Scarborough and Whitby
Asked if Select Committee selection methods could lead to no Northern Ireland representation, which he found unacceptable.
Central Ayrshire
Welcomed the establishment of PPA but stressed the need for representation from devolved Parliaments. Emphasised the importance of gathering and representing all voices, especially those impacted by Brexit in Scotland and Wales. Highlighted the need to repair damaged trust with European neighbours and mentioned the impact of Brexit on various sectors in her constituency.
Bill Cash
Con
Stone
The partnership assembly will not be a decision-making body but can contribute to stabilising UK-EU relations. It is important for trade and wider co-operation with European counterparts, despite the closed-door nature of some EU decisions.
Alyn Smith
SNP
Glasgow North West
Welcomes progress on the forum and urges Members to engage in a problem-solving spirit. Emphasises the need for sincere co-operation, reflecting the multiplicity of views across different nations within the UK.
Robert Goodwill
Con
Hindmarsh
Welcomes the establishment of the assembly and looks forward to engaging on a variety of issues such as gene editing, equivalence rules for international trade deals, and resolving Northern Ireland's protocol issues. Highlights the importance of building good relationships with European counterparts.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Expressed concerns regarding the representation of Wales in the proposed assembly. Highlighted significant economic impacts due to decreased trade with EU countries and questioned how Welsh interests would be defended without sufficient representation.
Stated opposition to the proposal, citing potential issues such as lack of democratic process in selecting members and concerns about scrutiny by a body including MEPs rather than this House. Emphasised the importance of maintaining sovereignty over UK matters.
Jacob Rees-Mogg
Con
North East Somerset
Responded to multiple MPs, addressing issues such as observer status for representatives from devolved Parliaments, duration of PPA meetings, and membership composition. Stressed that the UK delegations can represent the whole country despite individual party affiliations.
Bristol West
Asked for detailed information on how the PPA will operate in terms of reporting and its relationship with the partnership council. Her questions were partially answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg, who noted that some details would be determined by the PPA itself.
Oliver Heald
Con
North East Hertfordshire
Raised concerns about observer status within the assembly and questioned how representatives from devolved Parliaments might be included in the discussions, advocating for more inclusive arrangements.
Whitford
SNP
Central Ayrshire
Questioned the adequacy of six months as a time frame for PPA meetings and raised issues regarding representation from devolved Parliaments within the assembly framework.
Alyn Smith
SNP
Stirling
Contributed positively to the debate, advocating for broader engagement with the EU through the PPA. Suggested that six months might be an insufficient period and questioned how devolved Parliaments would interact within this framework.
Goodwill
Con
Scarborough and Whitby
Emphasised the potential benefits of informal dialogue between members, suggesting it could lead to positive solutions and better overall relations with the EU despite being a Eurosceptic himself.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Asked about membership composition of the PPA, including whether substitutes would have voting rights and how decisions on representation would be made.
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