European Union (Amendment) Bill

I think that my noble friend Lord Lea is too gentle on the noble Lord, Lord Pearson, in trying to have a rational debate with him. This is not a matter of rational debate—it is blind, naked prejudice. It shows through not only in the noble Lord’s amendments but in his words. When he was having his exchange with my noble friend—I know that the noble Lord was addressing the House, but it began to appear rather like a dialogue—he said that his amendments are meant to expose the problems of our membership. I shall not challenge him; I shall be voting against all his amendments. The real challenge comes from the noble Lord, Lord Howell. Is that what he supports? He stood up at the beginning of the debate, brandishing his good, solid, pro-European credentials. By his own admission, the noble Lord, Lord Pearson, has put down a series of wrecking amendments. We should put him out of his misery and tell him that they will not be supported, and then we can make some progress.