European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill

Mr right hon. Friend is making a brilliant and honest speech. When I was the Immigration Minister in 2007, it was clear to me that there could have been a consensus throughout Europe on the reform of free movement. If only the Labour party had pursued it then, when we were in government—indeed, if only the Conservative party had pursued it with care and forensic detail when they came to office in 2010, the Government would not have been forced to offer a bargain-basement deal to the British people when the Prime Minister’s back was against the wall.