Theresa May steps up Brexit vote pressure in House of Lords
THERESA May ramped up pressure on peers over Brexit by attending the opening of a crucial debate in the chamber of the House of Lords yesterday.
In a highly unusual move, the Prime Minister sat on the steps in front of the Royal Throne as Lords leader Baroness Evans of Bowes Park urged peers not to frustrate the passage of a Bill which will give Mrs May authority to launch EU withdrawal negotiations under Article 50.
Her presence, in a position she is entitled to occupy as a member of the Privy Council, was seen as a visual warning to peers not to seek to block or delay the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal Bill) in the Upper House, where the Government does not enjoy an in-built majority.
Speaking during a by-election campaign visit to Stoke ahead of the debate, the Prime Minister said peers should “pay attention” to the fact that the Bill was passed unamended by a large majority of MPs in the House of Commons.
She added: “Properly there will be debate and scrutiny in the House of Lords, but I don’t want to see anybody holding up what the British people want, what the people of Stoke-on-Trent voted for last year, which is for us to deliver Brexit, to leave the European Union.”
Around 190 peers are expected to speak during the two days set aside for the Bill’s second reading, the first opportunity for the upper chamber to debate the legislation.
No votes are expected during second reading, but the Government is braced for a battle over EU citizens’ rights and a meaningful parliamentary say on the final Brexit deal when the Bill returns for its committee stage next week.
Opening the debate, Lady Evans said she was “confident” peers would take a “constructive approach”.
“This Bill is not the place to try and shape the terms of our exit, restrict the Government’s hand before it enters into complex negotiations or attempt to re-run the referendum,” she said.
Labour’s leader in the Lords, Baroness Smith of Basildon, confirmed her party will seek to amend the Bill but stressed that MPs will “as always, and quite rightly, have the final say”.
“We will not block, wreck or sabotage the legislation before us. Whatever our personal views, disappointments and genuine concerns for the future, that is not the role of this House,” said Lady Smith.
“But, I’ve also said, neither should we provide the Government with a blank cheque.”
Liberal Democrat leader in the Lords Lord Newby said the Government’s approach was “little short of disastrous” as he called for a second referendum on the final deal.
“We now have a country more deeply divided on Brexit than ever,” he said.
Former EU commissioner Lord Mandelson insisted he voted as “a patriot” for Britain to remain in the 28-nation bloc.
The Labour peer, who served as business secretary, said claims the UK would enjoy the same trade benefits after breaking with Brussels amounted to “a fraud on the public”.
Former Tory leader Lord Hague condemned Tony Blair’s call for proEuropeans to form a new cross-party movement to reverse the outcome of last year’s referendum as a “great mistake”. He warned that any attempt to “rise up” against the result would lead to the most “bitter, potentially endless conflict” seen in British society for decades.