MPs to vote on Brexit bill to avoid chaos

Legislation would repeal on Brexit day the 1972 law through which Britain joined the EU

MPs hold their first vote Monday on a bill to end Britain’s membership of the EU, which ministers say will avoid a “chaotic” Brexit but has been condemned as an unprecedented power grab.

The legislation would repeal on Brexit day the 1972 law through which Britain joined the bloc, transferring in bulk around 12,000 existing EU regulations onto the British statute books.

It is the next step in implementing last year’s historic referendum vote to leave the bloc, after Prime Minister Theresa May formally notified Brussels of Britain’s withdrawal in March.

“Businesses and individuals need reassurance that there will be no unexpected changes to our laws

Businesses and individuals need reassurance that there will be no unexpected changes to our laws after exit day and that is exactly what the Repeal Bill provides.

David Davis Brexit secretary

after exit day and that is exactly what the Repeal Bill provides,” Brexit Secretary David Davis said. He added: “A vote against this bill is a vote for a chaotic exit from the European Union.”

The main opposition Labour party has vowed to try to defeat the bill, however, arguing that its provisions to smooth the transfer of EU laws represent an unacceptable expansion of executive power.

Many EU regulations may need adjusting as they are transferred, and the bill proposes the broad use of existing “Henry VIII powers” that allow ministers to amend legislation without full parliamentary scrutiny.

Labour Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said it was “fatally flawed” and an “affront to parliament”.