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Sir Oliver Heald, the Tory MP for Hertfordshire North East, said he has concerns about part five of the bill.
But I do have concerns about part five of the bill, because for our country to break its word and to breach international law is not something that we do.
Britain stands as a rule of law country and is respected across the world for its stance. All the prime minister’s that I served under – that’s three of them – have come out with grave concerns about this bill on the point that I’m concerned about.
I would just comment that Margaret Thatcher made clear herself how important it is on saying ‘democracy is not enough without a love liberty and the rule of law’.
If we come at the very end to the point where the negotiations have failed, all is lost, and this country really has to contemplate breaking international law, then so be it. But that day is not now, not today. And I think we should give the negotiations more time.
Neill added that he wanted to be able to support the bill but could not support it as it stands.
I hope that we will take the opportunity to change and improve these clauses and the way in which they might operate so that we do not fall into a means of damaging our reputation.
That is why I can’t support the bill tonight, I hope that we will see amendments to change what I believe are egregious and needless and potentially damaging elements of part five of the bill.
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