On a point of order, Mr Speaker, I profoundly regret the decision
that this House has taken tonight.
I continue to believe that by far the best outcome
is that the United Kingdom leaves the European Union
in an orderly fashion with a deal and that the deal we have negotiated
is the best, and indeed the only, deal available.
But, Mr Speaker, I would like to set out briefly
how the government means to proceed.
Two weeks ago I made a series of commitments
from this dispatch box regarding the steps
we would take in the event that this House
rejected the deal on offer.
I stand by those commitments in full.
Therefore, tonight we will table a motion for debate tomorrow
to test whether the House supports leaving the European Union
without a deal on 29 March.
The leader of the House will shortly make
an emergency business statement,
confirming the change to tomorrow’s business.
This is an issue of grave importance for the future of our country.
Just like the referendum, there are strongly held
and equally legitimate views on both sides.
For that reason, I can confirm that this will be a free vote
on this side of the House.
[Background laughter]
I have personally struggled with this choice,
as I am sure many other honourable members will.
I am passionate about delivering the result of the referendum
but I equally passionately believe that the best way to do that
is to leave in an orderly way with a deal and I still believe
that there is a majority in the House for that course of action.
I am conscious also ... – Order!
I am conscious also of my duties as prime minister
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
and of the potential damage to the union
that ​leaving without a deal could do when one part
of our country is without devolved governance.
I can therefore confirm that the motion will read:
“That this House declines to approve leaving the European Union
without a Withdrawal Agreement and a Framework
on the Future Relationship on 29 March, 2019;
and notes that leaving without a deal remains the default in UK and EU law
unless this House and the EU ratify an agreement.”
I will return to the House to open the debate tomorrow
and to take interventions from honourable members.
To ensure that the House is fully informed
in making this historic decision, the government
will tomorrow publish information on essential policies,
which would need to be put in place
if we were to leave without a deal.
These will cover our approach to tariffs
and the Northern Ireland border, among other matters.
If the House votes to leave without a deal on 29 March,
it will be the policy of the government to implement that decision.
If the House declines to approve leaving without a deal on 29 March,
the government will, following that vote,
bring forward a motion on Thursday on whether parliament
wants to seek an extension to article 50.
If the House votes for an extension, the government will seek to agree
that extension with the EU and bring forward
the necessary legislation to change the exit date,
commensurate with that extension.
But let me be clear: voting against leaving without a deal
and for an extension does not solve the problems we face.
[Background] – Hear, hear. –– Order!
The EU will want to know what use we mean to make
of such an extension and this House will have to answer that question.
Does it wish to revoke article 50?
Does it want to hold a second referendum?
[Background] Yes! – No!
Or does it want to leave with a deal but not this deal?
[Background] How about a general election?
These are unenviable choices but thanks to the decision
that the House has made this evening,
they are choices that must now be faced.