Labour’s double game over Brexit

In February, the House of Commons passed the legislation to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and begin the process of Brexit by 494 votes to 122. At that point, even those MPS who disliked the use of a referendum to supplant the decision-making of Parliament had to accept that all the constitutional hurdles had been negotiated. But in order for that vote to be fulfilled, to make the transition from EU member to independent nation a reality, it is necessary to put the necessary laws in place. The EU Withdrawal Bill, currently before Parliament, is designed to do just that.

This is not a flawless measure and there are debates to be had, especially over the so-called Henry VIII powers. It is the duty of MPS and peers to improve legislation, not just swallow whatever the executive serves up. However, there is a risk that the Bill will turn into a proxy battleground for continued warfare over Brexit itself.

The Government has twice postponed debate on the committee stages of the legislation because of the large number of amendments tabled, many by Conservative Remainers. At this rate, the Bill may not get through the Commons before Christmas and it then faces a serious challenge in the Lords next year.

Labour, which professes to support Brexit in the light of the referendum result, none the less senses an opportunity to frustrate the process. Sir Keir Starmer, the party’s spokesman, has vowed to support the potential Conservative rebels unless the Government accepts six changes to the Bill.

It is no surprise to discover that the Opposition wants to make the Government’s task as difficult as possible. Labour did the same to the Maastricht Treaty in 1993, siding then with Tory Eurosceptics. But having claimed to accept the result of the referendum, Labour is now reluctant to make Brexit happen.

The Brussels summit last week appeared to revive the prospect of achieving an EU-UK agreement that is acceptable to both sides. Moreover, a large majority in the Commons is in favour of observing the referendum mandate and leaving the EU. But a minority inside and outside Parliament think this can be reversed and hope parliamentary chaos, coinciding with ongoing disputes over money and future trade relationships, will wreck the process, as well it might. Those who claim to support Brexit must not now use parliamentary tactics to obstruct it.