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Barnhill, Jura. June 2015. (Thanks to the kindness of the Fletcher family).

Statement to the European Research Group

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Edited by John Gynn, Wednesday, 9 May 2018, 12:55

Sometimes a question can prompt a response that has more impact than might have been anticipated.

In Prime Minister's Question Time today Opposition leader Jeremy Cobyn, having listed some pro-customs union contributions to the debate from business and unions concerning a revised Customs Union relationship, asked the Prime Minister about the stance of the European Research Group advocating significant rupture from the EU trading bloc:

"Isn't it time she stood up to the people, described last night by the Father of the House, as these 'wild right-wing people'."

This was a reference to an interview given by Ken Clarke to BBC Newsnight the previous evening.

There was a time that televising of the Commons' proceedings was severely constrained and wider selective television shots were prohibited.

Fortunately that is not the case now and the camera panned, with perfect timing, to see the Father of the House, Ken Clarke, say, with a rueful chuckle, to his neighbour:

"I'd forgotten I'd said that".

Ken Clarke chuckles as he is reminded of hat he said

BBC Newsnight 08/05/18. Available (for 28 days) at:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0b2r0q0/newsnight-08052018

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