May wins first round in Lords Brexit battle

DEBATE: Peers give an unopposed second reading

Theresa May has won the first round in her battle with the Lords to secure authority for triggering the Brexit process by the end of next month.

Peers gave an unopposed second reading to the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill after a marathon two-day debate involving more than 180 speakers.

But the Prime Minister faces a stiffer challenge next week when Opposition parties try to amend the legislation paving the way for Britain to leave the EU.

Labour, while vowing not to block the Bill, is looking to force concessions, with Liberal Democrat and cross-bench support.

Battleground issues like giving Parliament a “meaningful” vote before the end of the Brexit talks and guaranteeing the rights of EU citizens already legally settled in the UK will figure high in their demands when the Bill moves into its detailed committee stage on Monday.

The two-clause Bill, allowing Mrs May to trigger Article 50 and begin the Brexit negotiations, has already cleared the Commons unamended.

But the Government does not have an in-built majority in the Lords and any amendments would force the measure to go back before MPs in a bout of “parliamentary ping-pong”, putting the Government’s timetable at risk.

Winding up the debate, Brexit Minister Lord Bridges of Headley said a clear majority had voted to leave the EU and the Government would respect the will of the British people.

“There can be no attempts to remain inside the EU and no attempts to rejoin it,” he pledged.

Peers have faced stern warnings not to amend the Bill from the Government and Brexit-supporting peers including Tory former chancellors Lord Lawson of Blaby and Lord Lamont of Lerwick.

But Baroness Ludford, for the Liberal Democrats, said: “Waving this Bill through with no change while harbouring serious reservations would be an abrogation of our responsibility.

“We are being asked to rubber-stamp Brexit at any cost, the most extreme of all the options open to the Government.”

Lord Lamont said those who voted to remain in the EU had a duty not to undermine the Government’s negotiating position on Brexit.

Labour former chancellor Lord Darling of Roulanish said the referendum result must be accepted, but ruled out giving the Government a “blank cheque”.

He told peers: “I do not accept this argument that from now on those of us on the Remain side should sit back and say nothing and simply give the Government a blank cheque to proceed.

“We can’t do that because there are so many uncertainties, so many unanswered questions.”

Picture: PA. Lord Darling speaks in the House of Lords as the Brexit Bill is debated yesterday.