Hard to take Brexit leaders on trust

The labyrinthine process of guiding the Great Repeal Bill through Parliament has begun in earnest and it is already clear the Government has another European fight on its hands.

David Davis et al may have hoped the threat of a chaotic withdrawal from the EU without the bill’s smooth passage would be enough to bring opponents into line.

But there are too many flaws in the eyes of critics and too much political capital to be gained to easily get their way.

The main sticking points highlighted on the first day of what promises to be a lengthy and fractious process were the threat to devolution – real or perceived – and the socalled HenryVIII powers.

The former, highlighted by the Welsh Labour Party and the SNP, was always going to prove tricky.

The whole point of the bill is to ensure laws formerly the remit of Brussels will pass smoothly back to Britain – it makes sense that they come to Westminster and are then passed on. Taken at face value, it is common sense rather than a power grab.

The issue of ministers using statutory instruments to tweak Brexit legislation is more problematic.

The Government’s performance in this matter so far has been far from exemplary. Its competence has yet to be established. Taking its actions on trust without the full scrutiny of parliament is a lot to ask of the British public.

Meanwhile, the March 2019 deadline looms ever closer.