Battle over Brexit bill begins as pro-eu Tories issue demands
PRO-EU Conservative backbenchers have fired a warning shot across the bow of the government’s Brexit plans by demanding significant changes to legislation that will take theukoutoftheeu.
At least nine Tory MPS are supporting an amendment to the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill that would effectively give Westminster a veto on leaving the EU.
Even more potential rebels have put their name to amendments that would curb ministerial powers to alter or abolish EU regulations after they are repatriated from Brussels, and preserve social and economic duties set out in the EU’S Charter of Fundamental Rights.
The so-called Repeal Bill cleared its first parliamentary hurdle in the small hours of yesterday morning, with MPS voting to give the legislation a second reading by 318 votes to 296.
Seven Labour MPS broke a three-line whip to support 0 Theresa May ‘listening to the concerns of colleagues’ the bill, which will end the UK’S EU membership and transfer European law into British statute.
But ministers must now consider making major concessions to pro-eu backbenchers, with around 12 Tory rebels needed to cancel out Labour Brexiteers and make defeat for the government possible.
Among the 136 amendments lodged yesterday are demands from Labour, SNP and Plaid Cymru MPS that EU powers returning from Brussels pass directly to devolved nations, reversing what the gov- ernments in Edinburgh and Cardiff claim is a Westminster “power grab”.
Summing up debate on the bill after midnight on Tuesday, Justice Secretary David Lidington said ministers would consider suggestions for changes to the bill and “intend to discuss those suggestions further with colleagues on both sides of the House”.
Yesterday Mrs May’s official spokesman added: “We will look at all the amendments and consider them in the usual way. The Prime Minister has said she is going to listen to the concerns of her colleagues.”
Commenting after the vote, the SNP’S international affairs spokesman Stephen Gethins said it was “a dark day for devolution and democracy in the UK,” but added: “Despite the disappointment, I am pleased to see Labour’s shift in stance towards backing the SNP’S long-standing position on the importance of securing the best possible legislation… and the dangers if opposition parties remain divided in their approach in holding this Tory government to account.”