Heseltine leads Lords rebellion on Parliament’s say over Brexit deal
TORY grandee Lord Heseltine has backed opposition efforts in the Lords to ensure a meaningful vote on the final outcome of exit negotiations.
The former deputy prime minister insisted he was not engaging in a “confrontation” with the Government. He said Labour, Liberal Democrat and rebellious Tory colleagues ready to back a change to the Brexit bill simply wanted to uphold the Supreme Court’s ruling that MPs and peers have ultimate authority.
A Labour Lords source said the party “would be likely to win handsomely” and inflict defeat on the Government on the issue, as well as in a bid to guarantee rights of EU nationals already in the UK.
A vote on whether Parliament should have a meaningful say on the final deal is not expected during the European Union (Notification Of Withdrawal) Bill’s committee stage next week, but during report stage on March 7.
Lord Heseltine said: “The outcome of Brexit will have to be confirmed by Parliament. It will also have to pass in 27 national European parliaments, several sub-national parliaments and the European Parliament. It was perhaps unwise for our Government to suppose that our Parliament should be excluded where all others were included.
“Very sensibly, after the Supreme Court interpreted the law, that position was reversed and Parliament was restored to its rightful constitutional role as the ultimate authority. I will vote in the House of Lords to ensure that position is legally intact.
“This is not a confrontation with the Government. It is a decision to ensure that the Commons has the chance to define its role in the exercise of its authority over the defining issue of our time.”
He also suggested a change in public opinion could reverse the Brexit decision.