Don’t take Brexit risks
A COUPLE of weeks ago in response to a previous letter I expressed my shock at Graham Stringer’s voting with the government over the Great Repeal Bill – now known formally as the European Union (Withdrawal)
Bill – (Tories can’t be trusted with ‘Henry VIII’ powers”, Viewpoints, September 16). Bill Newham responded
(Viewpoints, September 18) pointing to the majority vote nationally for Brexit, the need to rise above ‘petty party politics on a ‘seriously momentous national issue,’ and the scope for kicking out the Tories ‘if they play fast and lose with laws worth keeping.’
I concede all these points but fear his suggesting this could happen ‘after regaining our sovereignty’ is a bit optimistic and risky.
This seems to shut the stable door after the (transnational) wolves have got into the sheep fold, to mix my metaphors.
Mr Stringer himself joined in on September 21, accusing the Lib Dems of contending his vote was necessary ‘to carry out the democratic will’ of his constituents.
I disagree, but accept Mr Stringer may be sincere in saying he and colleagues intend to make amendments and saying the objectionable carte blanche the government is claiming will only last a couple of years.
Nonetheless, this is a risky strategy as things gain a momentum that is difficult to stop.
In the past week the EU-Canada Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement started its provisional implementation amongst uncertainty as to its implications for us in the uncharted waters of Brexit. Many politicians oppose it, but it may act as a template for a sister UK-Canada deal with negotiators not given a chance to iron out unacceptable issues in the pressure to get something up and running. Surely it’s right to get things correct before you have to unpick them.
Let’s hope Mr Stringer’s colleagues, whatever their views on Brexit, are emboldened by their conference and demand (and not only when whipped) that all future trade deals are brought before Parliament and allowed adequate public scrutiny.
At present local MPs are conspicuous by their absence. Sophie Ma, Rusholme