JUST IN: UK lawmakers win a vote to control Parliament's agenda Wednesday in their effort to block a no-deal Brexit, dealing Prime Minister Boris Johnson a serious blow
Kenneth Clarke, a veteran lawmaker, has delivered a long speech in favor of the motion, saying Parliament must stand up and block a no-deal Brexit.
He argued that Britain must stay closely aligned with the European Union, its biggest trading partner, following Brexit, and dismissed the claims that anyone who tried to stop a no-deal Brexit was trying to reverse the result of the referendum. "I voted for Brexit three times," he said, referring to the fact that he supported the withdrawal agreement negotiated by Boris Johnson's predecessor Theresa May.Clarke also mocked those who argue that the UK will be fine exiting the EU without a future deal and trading on World Trade Organization terms.
“North Korea is doing just fine with no deal in trade with anywhere else and operating under WTO rules,” he said sarcastically to roars of laughter in the chamber. Clarke is well-respected by all sides in Parliament. He has served in a number of senior cabinet posts, including as the treasury chief and the home secretary, and is the current"Father of the House" -- a title given to the longest-serving member of Parliament.
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