MP defends Brexit vote

ANGLESEY’S man in Parliament has defended his decision to vote down the controversial Brexit Repeal Bill.

Last week, the House of Commons sat long beyond midnight for the crunch vote, which saw the bill pass its first Parliamentary hurdle by 36 votes, 326-290.

The Bill shifts existing EU laws on to the UK statue book to give businesses and citizens certainty for when Britain leaves the bloc.

But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had labelled it “a power grab by the Government at the expense of our democratically elected Parliament”.

Opponents of the bill argued it included loopholes which would allow ministers to meddle with laws without the full scrutiny of parliament using “Henry VIII” powers.

Despite Anglesey having narrowly voted to leave the European Union, MP Albert Owen, pictured, described the bill as “undercutting parliamentary democracy and the will of the people.”

Explaining his decision, Mr Owen said: “In the June election campaign I made it clear that I would fight for a sensible Brexit for Ynys Môn, Wales and the UK, and to oppose the Government when I believe it is not acting in the interest of the country.

“The Government’s Bill is an attempt to undermine the UK’s sovereign Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and to concentrate power in the hands of individual ministers.

“In the 2016 EU Referendum I said I would respect and accept the result, and voted for Article 50 in Parliament.

“In the 2017 election I said I would hold the Government to account and fight for the best deal for my constituents and the country.

“In voting for the amendment I honoured both, upholding the party manifesto and the personal standpoint which I was elected on.”

Not one Tory MP voted against the Bill but seven Labour MPs voted in favour.

Responding to the vote, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “Parliament took a historic decision to back the will of the British people and vote for a bill which gives certainty and clarity ahead of our withdrawal from the European Union.