Future Relationship with the EU 2020-06-11
2020-06-11
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Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Sheerman inquires about potential changes to the negotiation team size working on future relationships with the EU.
What plans do you have to change the size and strength of the negotiating team working on the future relationship between the UK and the EU?
We have no plans to change the size of the negotiating team working on the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union. As Eric Morecambe said of Ernie Wise, it is “small and perfectly formed”.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Sheerman expresses concern over the effectiveness of the UK's negotiation team leader, suggesting a possible rift with the PM due to the latter's lack of detail focus.
Some of us on the Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union are very worried about the Secretary of State. He was very lacklustre when he gave evidence to the Committee recently, and we are very sympathetic. This is a tough job. In reality, we have only five months to get it right for the country. Is it not a fact that there is a rift between him and the Prime Minister? The Prime Minister is not good on detail. There is a rift between them—does he need more help to overcome that?
I am always grateful to the hon. Gentleman for offering to step in as a marriage counsellor. I have to say, notwithstanding my earlier reference to Morecambe and Wise, that the Prime Minister and I, when it comes to everything, are like the two Ronnies, so it's goodnight from me and it's goodnight from him.
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