indication, and country a very clear indication, and if he has a little patience and he will know the reasons why i have done that. the government is delivering on the priorities i have set out, despite difficulties are immediate financial danger, we have seen consumer confidence remain high, record numbers ofjobs and economic growth that has exceeded all expectations. at the same time we have delivered on the mandate we re we have delivered on the mandate were handed by the referendum result by triggering article 50 before the end of march as we pledge to do. as a result, britain is leaving the eu and there can be no turning back. doesn't it take brass neck to call an election when you are facing allegations of the last one? that intervention was not worthy of the honourable gentleman, i have to say. can the prime minister clarify for us, does she support fixed term parliaments? we have a fixed term parliament act

that enables us to have fixed term parliaments. at this point in time i believe it is right for us to have this boat in this house and this debate and it is right for members of this house to vote and explain why brass do have a general election at this stage. i will not take further interventions for a while. this is a limited time debate and members wish to make their contributions. today we take a new question, how best to secure these stability and certainty we need over the long—term to get the right deal for britain. in brexit negotiations and make the most of the opportunities ahead, how do we do this? i've gone to the conclusion that the answer is to hold a general election now, in this window of opportunity, before the negotiations begin. i believe it is in britain's national interest to hold an election now, and a general election is the best way to strengthen britain's and the negotiations ahead. because securing the right

dealfor britain is my priority, and iam dealfor britain is my priority, and i am confident that we have the plan to do it. we have set out our ambition, a deep and special partnership between a strong and successful european union, and the united kingdom that is free to chart its own way in the world. it means. . . its own way in the world. it means... just a minute. its own way in the world. it means... justa minute. it its own way in the world. it means... just a minute. it means we will regain control of our own money, oui’ will regain control of our own money, our own laws, and our own borders, and we will be free to strike trade deals with old friends and new partners all around the world. grateful for the world. gratefulfor the prime world. grateful for the prime minister giving way. i understand she wants to give the house the opportunity to determine whether they should be an election, but if the house determines now was the time, why does the prime minister stand in the face of the scottish parliament and scottish government that have voted for a referendum on scotland's future? it is right that the people here have a voice and a vote on the future of this country, but why shouldn't the scottish people be given a boat as well?

prime minister. now is the temporary general election because it will strengthen oui’ election because it will strengthen our hand in negotiations on brexit. now is not the temporary second scottish independence referendum because it will weaken our hand in negotiations on brexit. strength in unity with the conservatives, division and weakness with the scottish nationalists. this means that we... just to make a little more progress. . . that we... just to make a little more progress... i believe this delivers on the will of the british people, our plan for brexit. it's the right approach for britain will deliver a more secure future for our country and a better deal for all our people. but it is clear, mr speaker... just a minute. at other parties in this house have a different view about the right future for our country, while members of the other place have vowed to fight the government every step. thank you for giving way. the people of rossendale and darwen in the referendum gave our government a mandate to exercise article 50, and

she has done that and we are grateful to have the opportunity to strengthen the prime minister's and to go out there and get the best possible dealfor to go out there and get the best possible deal for people who live in rossendale and i went, manufacturers in rossendale and darwen and every family there. my family there. my honourable friend is right, and we should be united in this parliament in wanting to get that best possible deal, notjust for the country as a whole that for everybody across the whole of this country, and i commend my honourable friend for the work that he has done in rossendale and darwen in supporting his constituents on this. i give way to the honourable gentleman and dynamic progress. this. i will give way to the right honourable gentleman and then make progress. i can see how it suits the purposes of the prime minister to make this election all about brexit, but can she accept the possibility that it may just but can she accept the possibility that it mayjust become a referendum on her brutal cuts which have left older people without care, schools sending begging letters to parents and a record number of homeless people on the streets of greater manchester?

i have to say to the right honourable gentleman, of course, the general election when they come into the campaign people will look at a wide range of issues, they both looked at the fact that pensioners are looked at the fact that pensioners a re £1250 looked at the fact that pensioners are £1250 a year better off because of the actions of the conservative government and look at the fact that we have 1.8 million more children in good or outstanding schools, but the right honourable gentleman wants to talk about the impact on the economy, i suggest he searches in his memory for the time he spent as jesus —— chief secretary to the treasury when labour trashing the economy of this country. mr speaker... i will make progress, sorry. i have set up the divisions that has become clear on this issue, they can and will be used against us, weakening our hand in the negotiations to come and we must not let that happen. i believe that at this moment of enormous national significance, there should be unity here in westminster, not division. that is why it is the right and

responsible thing for all of us here today to vote for a general election today to vote for a general election to meet our respective cases to the country and then to respect the result and the mandate it provides to give britain the strongest possible hand in the negotiations to come. i give way to the honourable gentleman. thank you. in the last election, the conservatives did a ma nifesto election, the conservatives did a manifesto commitment to stay in the single market, will she be withdrawn that commitment in the new manifesto and if she does, but that's not wea ken and if she does, but that's not weaken her negotiating position as well as removing two months from the negotiating window? we give a commitment in the last manifesto to provide people of the united kingdom with a vote on whether or not to believe the european union, we get them that ford, that was supported by parliament, we give them that thought and studio gave a clear message that they want the uk to leave the eu, that is exactly what we are going to do. -- gave them

that port. i am grateful to the prime minister and i fully support the fact that she needs a stronger hand going into the negotiations as we leave the eu. but she not they it perverse that some people who did not want a referendum in the first is now want a second referendum at the very end of the procedure, just in case the british government does not get a good deal from in case the british government does not get a good dealfrom brussels? does she not believe that if we were to have that second referendum, it would decline weaken the position of the prime minister in the negotiations she has with the european union? my right honourable friend is absolutely right in his description of what would happen and ithink... description of what would happen and i think... for those who have said they want a second referendum, that is actually denying the will of the people because people voted for us to leave the european union and we will go out there and get the best possible deal. waiting to hold the next election in 2020 as scheduled would mean that the negotiations would mean that the negotiations would reach the most difficult and sensitive stage just as the election was looming on the horizon. a general election will provide the

country with five years of strong and stable leadership to see us through the negotiations and ensure we are able to go on to make a success as a result and that is crucial, that is the test, it is not solely about how we leave the european union, but what we do with the opportunity that brexit provides that counts. leaving the eu offers us that counts. leaving the eu offers usa that counts. leaving the eu offers us a unique once in a generation opportunity to shape a brighter future for britain. we need the leadership provided by a strong and sta ble leadership provided by a strong and stable government to seize it, a government that has a plan for a stronger briton, a government with the determination to see it through and the government that will take the right long—term decisions that will deliver a more secure future for britain. the conservative party i read is determined to be that government. i will give way. if the prime minister at all concerned that having type best to build up a reputation for political integrity, both as home secretary and prime

minister, she is now seen after all the denials there will be at a snap election, simply as a political opportunist? i have not denied the fa ct opportunist? i have not denied the fact that when i came in to this rule as prime minister, i was clear that what the country needed was stability and they also needed a government that was going to show that it would deliver on the vote people had ta ken that it would deliver on the vote people had taken any referendum on leaving the eu. we have provided that over the last nine months, now it is clear to me that if we are going to have the strongest possible hand in negotiation, we should have an election now. as i havejust said, leaving the election to 2020 would mean that we would be coming to the most sensitive and critical pa rt to the most sensitive and critical part of the negotiations in the run—up we are determined to bring

leadership and stability, that is what the election will be about. i thank you, prime minister, for giving way. does the prime minister appreciate decisiveness, like me, and agree that voting yes in this motion signifies strength, whereas abstaining isa motion signifies strength, whereas abstaining is a symbol of weakness? i say to my honourable friend, that voting as is a sign of strength. i would say more about abstaining, but i think anybody who have stains and thinks we shouldn't have a general election is endorsing the record of the conservative government, presumably. —— anyone who adds stains. —— app staineds. grateful. would she agreed with lord hill who was commissioner in europe when asked in front of the foreign affairs committee what the best strategy for negotiation is, his response is that we must come together because our into lockers will be watching this place and

exploit any weakness in our political system? my honourable friend is absolutely right and i am grateful to him for reminding us what with his experience lord hill said in relation to this issue. it is important that we come together and do not show the divisions that have been suggested in the past and we are able to show a strong mandate for a plan for brexit and for making a su ccess for a plan for brexit and for making a success of that. we are determined to bring stability to the uk in the long—term and that is what this election will be about, leadership and stability. and the decision facing the country will be clear. i will be campaigning for strong and reliable leadership and i will ask for the support of the public to continue to deliver my plan for a stronger briton to be the country to the next five years and to give the country the certainty and stability that we need. i will give way to the honourable lady. thank you, mr

speaker. thank you for giving way. 0n the timetable before yesterday, the prime minister would have concluded her negotiation by 2019, we would have gone into the election in 2020 one you later, talking about the prime minister's deal. that would have given the country and hardwood as to what they would have been voting for. the prime minister is asking the country to strengthen her hand, what she is actually doing, but she not agree, is asking the country to vote for a blank cheque? i am not asking the country to write a blank cheque, we have been very clear in terms of what they intend for the outcome of the negotiations and i set that out in my speech in january at lancaster house, it has been set out in the article says the letter when it giggled article 50 and submitted that to the president of the european council as well as white paper. mr speaker, itell the european council as well as white paper. mr speaker, i tell the house, the house, the choice before us todayis the house, the choice before us today is clear, i have made my choice, it is to do something that

ru ns choice, it is to do something that runs through the brains of my party more than any other, to trust the people, so let us what to do that today, let us lay out our plans for brexit, let us put forward the plans for the future of this great country and put our faith for the future of this great country and put ourfaith in for the future of this great country and put our faith in the for the future of this great country and put ourfaith in the hands for the future of this great country and put our faith in the hands of the people and then let the people decide. the question is that there shall be an early parliamentary general election. mr jeremy corbyn. thank you, mr speaker. we welcome the opportunity of a general election because it gives the british people the chance to vote for a labour government that will put the interests of the majority first. the prime minister has said that she only recently and relu cta ntly that she only recently and reluctantly decided to go for a snap election. just four weeks ago the prime minister's spokesperson said, "there is not going to be able early

general election. was good how can any general election. was good how can a ny voter general election. was good how can any voter trust what the prime minister says? britain is being held back, held back by our government, the prime minister approximately strong economy, but the truth is that most people are worse off than they were when the conservatives came to power is seven years ago. the election gives the british people the chance to change direction. this election is about her government's fielder to rebuild the economy and living standards for the economy and living standards for the majority. it is about the crisis are government has plunged her national health service into, the cuts to our children's schools which will limit the chances of every child in britain. 4 million of whom now live in poverty. a chant of an alternative to raise living standards as more and more people do not have security in their work or

in their housing. pars—mac a chance ofan in their housing. pars—mac a chance of an alternative. i will give way to my friend, the memberfor i will give way to my friend, the member for stoke—on—trent. i will give way to my friend, the member for stoke-on-trent. mr gareth snell. thank you very much, mr speaker and i will try not to take it personally that having arrived so early the prime ministerfelt that having arrived so early the prime minister felt desperate to get rid of me that she is calling an election. what i would say to my honourable friend, with my honourable friend, with my honourable friend, with my honourable friend agreed that the prime minister, in calling this election, essentially is saying that she does not have confidence and our own government to deliver a brexit dealfor britain? own government to deliver a brexit deal for britain? 0nly own government to deliver a brexit dealfor britain? 0nly she own government to deliver a brexit deal for britain? 0nly she could secure the votes of myself and my only friend is to table a motion of no—confidence in her own government

which i would vote for. no—confidence in her own government which i would vote forlj no—confidence in her own government which i would vote for. i thank my friend for that intervention, i congratulate him on his election to this house and i congratulate him on his work and i agree with him, i have no confidence in this government either. in the interests of unity in stoke—on—trent, what else can i do? there are five towns, don't forget. six. i'm gratefulto my there are five towns, don't forget. six. i'm grateful to my friend, there are five towns, don't forget. six. i'm gratefulto my friend, he highlighted the prime minister dithered over whether she wanted an election and always said she didn't wa nt election and always said she didn't want one, but the reality is that what has focused on mine is the fact she might lose some of her backbenchers if the cps have their way. —— focused her mind. backbenchers if the cps have their way. -- focused her mind. the timing of the election and the role of the cps is extremely interesting in this and it is interesting the prime

minister did not mention it in her contribution. i gave way to the gentleman here. i most grateful. he talks about trust in leaders, what trust can the public but in a leader who has no confidence from his parliamentary colleagues and is in place by people who are not in parliament but from people who are outside? i was elected leader of my party by 300,000 votes and i don't know how many people voted for the prime minister to be leader of her party. i suspect it was actually none whatsoever. to the 6 million people working injobs none whatsoever. to the 6 million people working in jobs that pay less than the living wage i simply say this, it doesn't have to be like this. because labour believes that everyjob should pay a wage you can live on and every worker should have decent rights at work. to the

millions of people who can't afford a home of their own, or have spent yea rs a home of their own, or have spent years waiting for a council home, this is your chance to vote for the home yourfamily this is your chance to vote for the home your family deserves. because we believe a housing policy should provide homes for everyone and not investment opportunities for a few. to the millions of small businesses, fed up with red tape of quarterly reporting and hikes in business rates and broken promises on national insurance contributions, this is your chance to vote for a government that invests and that supports wealth creators, notjust the wealth extractors. the prime minister says she has called the election so the government can negotiate brexit, we had a referendum that established that mandate. parliament has voted to

accept that result. there is no obstacle accept that result. there is no o bsta cle to accept that result. there is no obstacle to the government negotiating, but instead of getting on with thejob, negotiating, but instead of getting on with the job, she has negotiating, but instead of getting on with thejob, she has pegged herself as the prisoner of the lib dems, who have threatened to grind government to a standstill. there are nine of them and they have managed to vote three different ways on article 50. so it is obviously a very serious threat indeed. the tories want to use brexit to turn us into a low—wage tax haven. labour will use brexit to invest in every pa rt will use brexit to invest in every part of this country and to create a high wage, high skill economy, in which everyone shares the rewards. the prime minister also says this

campaign will be about leadership. so let's have a head—to—head tv debate about the future of our country, why has she rejected that request? labour... mr speaker, labour offers a better future, request? labour... mr speaker, labour offers a betterfuture, we wa nt labour offers a betterfuture, we want richer lives for everyone, not the country run for the rich. order, order. giving way to the right honourable gentleman. order! order. order! i've known the right honourable gentleman for more than 30 years, you will not take it

personally. he has completed his speech and now he would like to raise his point. on a point of order, is that it? laughter it's very generous of the right honourable gentleman to see to invest me with additional powers but the question of whether it is it as he put it is not a matter for me. and the right honourable gentleman has completed his contribution. sir desmond swiryn. i accept entirely the logic that was laid out by my right honourable friend at her post—statement yesterday in downing street, and what i can say is that i reached that conclusion somewhat earlier.

however i just that conclusion somewhat earlier. however ijust did not believe it was possible to deliver. indeed i found myself discombobulated by a reversal in government policy for the second time in a few weeks. having told the readers of the forestjournal in terms that there was no question of there being an early general election, because it was not in the prime minister's gift to deliver it, because of the fixed term act. that decision lies with a majority of two thirds of the members of the house of commons, and asi members of the house of commons, and as i told them with absolute confidence, turkeys will not vote for christmas. i congratulate my right honourable friend for having achieved the impossible and secured the fact that today those turkeys will indeed vote for that. the

reason why i reached the opinion that i did, that an election was necessary was firstly that, during the passage and the debate on the article 50 bill, member after member opposite got up and announced their recantation, that opposite got up and announced their reca ntation, that notwithstanding having voted to remain, they were now going to abide by the will of their constituents. yet at every opportunity they cheered to the rafters those few who spoke out and said they remained with the 48% and believed that so proceeding as events unfolded that 48% would become a majority. they pursued a strategy of desperation. a strategy of how an arm, something might turn up, well, that something was the long promised economic shock or whatever —— of hang on. that

strategy of hang on requires an essential ingredient, delay, and that was the tactic they clearly pursued and they promised that they would be more. now, with respect to the other place, the other place is not bound currently in respect of the government's policy by these salisbury convention, and my friend for north norfolk and i were invited to debate in front of a city audience recently the motion that the united kingdom is leaving the eu. two peers, highly respected peers, lord butler, former cabinet sector, lord leicester, one of our human rights lawyers, they argued the case that we would not leave the european union because they were in a position to prevent it and would

do so. it is essential therefore, i believe, that the policy that the prime minister has announced of pursuing a general election and securing a mandate in this house and a mandate to bind the other house in respect of the salisbury convention is absolutely necessary. i'm confident that she will achieve that majority because i'm confident that she will be backed by the overwhelming majority of this nation who, as she will know, i voted for every other possible candidate for the leadership of the tory party last year in order to avoid her becoming the leader. i have to tell her that i have become her greatest fan. cheering and as my constituents recognise and tell me continually, she is doing

magnificently and long may she continue to do so. mr angus robertson. the prime minister has said she wants unity and she has said she wants unity and she has said that she wants an end to division and she intends to do that by crushing opposition. with political opponents described as saboteurs, something i invited her earlier to take a distance from but she was not prepared. this is not a vision of or an understanding of mainstream democracy that i share with the prime minister. and for months we have heard from her that now is not the time before the public to vote, that no one wants it thatitis public to vote, that no one wants it that it is important to get on with the dayjob. we have been told that the dayjob. we have been told that the prime minister needs to concentrate all of her time on brexit and that nothing, nothing, should get in the way, but now, as

we have learned in the last 2a hours, all of that was in direct trick. and there are two key reasons why there is going to be a general election —— empty rhetoric. the first is politically expedient, is about the unelectable state of the labour party, and that is a reason of political expediency to hold an election. it is about not wanting to repeat the political error that gordon brown made, the prime minister wants to receive her own electoral mandate and crush political opposition in england. the second reason for holding an early general election is that it has finally dawned on the uk government that the brexit negotiations are going to be very difficult and the reality of the hard brexit that the prime minister is pursuing have not fully dawned on the public. as one commentator wrote... if i can have a

moment, as one commentator wrote today, the eu is not going to roll over and give the uk free and frictionless access to the single market, and the prime minister is getting the vote in before the reality of brexit hits home. while she thinks she can get away with all of this against the labour party in england but she will not come she will not get away with this in scotland. on the subject of hard brexit, does he agree that his incumbent on those who are advocating it to set out very clearly what the impact on jobs is going to be for us coming out of the single market and the customs union? that would be an opportunity in a normal general election campaign where party leaders debate the issues on their record but there has been an interesting development

since the debate. i'd notice collea g u es since the debate. i'd notice colleagues looking at their mobile phones, because itv has confirmed there will be a leaders debate. there are a number of other party leaders in the chamber. i'm looking at the leader of the opposition. izzy intending to take part in the debate? i suspect he probably will -- is debate? i suspect he probably will —— is he intending for them the leader of the liberal democrats and the leader of the green party. it is unsustainable in the 21st century in the multimedia age to go to the country and not to debate the leaders of the main political parties. the notion that the uk prime minister might be empty chaired because she is not prepared to stand up for heart arguments is just not sustainable. maybe she would wish that the honourable gentleman who is seeking to intervene might take her place instead. as i said yesterday, i hope

that the prime minister does go head—to—head with the leaders of other parties. it is quite simple, she would floor them all. no, she wouldn't. she would not managed that with nicola sturgeon. but i am surprised and i welcome what the honourable gentleman had to say any encouragement. because i think the public deserves a debate during the election campaign and i think the prime minister should have some more confidence in herself. i think she should be prepared to address the country and to debate the idea is that all the political parties across the uk have. but we have already learned of course in scotla nd already learned of course in scotland that the prime minister is prepared to ignore the mandate and wishes of the scottish electorate.