Brexit Bill could be put before MPs in days after legal ruling
Don’t try to thwart will of people, Members warned
A BREXIT BILL could be put before MPs within days as Theresa May looks to keep her timetable for leaving the European Union on track in the aftermath of an historic legal ruling.
Downing Street moved quickly to insist the Prime Minister’s plan to begin Brexit talks by the end of March would not change despite the Supreme Court deciding only MPs could start the process.
Brexit Secretary David Davis warned MPs they should not try to use the Bill that must now be passed – asking MPs for authorisation to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty – as “a vehicle for attempts to thwart the will of the people”.
The Haltemprice and Howden MP promised a timetable for the Bill would be set out later this week but the legislation itself could be published as soon as tomorrow.
Mr Davis said it would be “the most straightforward Bill possible” amid suggestions the law that will pave the way for the biggest change in Britain for a generation will be just a few pages of text.
Despite the Liberal Democrats, SNP and some Labour MPs threatening to oppose the triggering of Article 50, the overwhelming majority of MPs are expected to back the Bill, fearing to do otherwise would lead to accusations they are trying to undo last year’s referendum result.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn stopped short of promising to impose a three-line whip, the strongest possible order, on his MPs to back the Bill but promised no attempt would be made to stop the triggering of Article 50.
The party will try to amend the Brexit Bill, however, to force the Government to put the draft settlement before MPs in advance of final agreement with the European Commission.
It will press for Ministers to commit to maintaining the UK’s access to the European Single Market and resolving the question of the future of EU citizens in the UK at the outset.
Labour will also push for Ministers to publish a more detailed plan for the negotiations, an effort which could attract support from several Conservative MPs who were yesterday among those calling for the Government to set out a formal document rather than relying on the speech made by the Prime Minister at Lancaster House last week.
The SNP, angered that the court ruled the Government does not have to consult the Scottish Parliament, threatened to table 50 “serious and substantive” amendments to the Brexit Bill.
The Supreme Court had been widely expected to uphold previous rulings made in lower courts that the Government could not use the Royal prerogative to trigger Article 50 but the 8-3 split among the justices was more decisive than forecast.
Supreme Court president Lord Neuberger said withdrawal from the EU would mean a “fundamental change” to the UK’s laws and change the legal rights of British citizens.
“The UK’s constitutional arrangements require such changes to be clearly authorised by Parliament,” said Lord Neuberger. “Any change in the law to give effect to the referendum must be made in the only way permitted by the UK constitution, namely by an Act of Parliament.”
The Supreme Court ruling was welcomed by investment broker Gina Miller, the lead claimant in the case against the Government.
THE BREXIT Secretary David Davis has ignored warnings that he risks “showing a lack of respect” for the House of Commons, as he dismissed repeated calls to publish a White Paper on the Government’s negotiating plans.
Responding to yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling, MPs from both Labour and Tory benches pressed for the Government’s strategy to be published, pointing out that it formed a key part of the symbolic motion agreed by Parliament last month.
However, in an address to the Commons, Mr Davis appeared to rule out the possibility of a consultation or debate, as he stressed that the Prime Minister’s speech to diplomats earlier this month “laid out” her plans “very clearly”.
But he did acknowledge that MPs will have many opportunities to vote on Brexit policy – indicating that this could include contentious issues like membership of the European Customs Union.
Leeds MP and Brexit select committee chairman Hilary Benn was among the first to use the Supreme Court decision to issue fresh calls for a White Paper.
Addressing Mr Davis, he warned that if Ministers refuse to allow further consultation and debate on their plans, they risk “showing a lack of respect for this House of Commons”.
His calls were echoed by the prominent Tory backbencher Anna Soubry, who pointed out that many MPs only agreed to back December’s backbench motion to trigger Article 50 on the condition that the Government publishes its Brexit plan before formal talks begin. She asked what the Government “has to lose” from encouraging Parliamentary debate.
A host of other MPs added their voice to the debate, including Labour’s shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer, Hull North MP Diana Johnson and the former Attorney General and Tory MP for Beaconsfield Dominic Grieve.
But time and time again Mr Davis refused to commit to a paper, arguing that the Prime Minister’s speech had provided “the clearest exposition of a negotiating strategy... in modern times”.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, a Downing Street spokesman also refused to be drawn on the question of a White Paper. He said only that where the Government is able to “provide more certainty... we will”.
The Secretary of State also faced pressure to confirm whether MPs will have a vote on the final deal reached with the European Union, and whether there will be an opportunity to return to the negotiating table if the deal is rejected. Many MPs were also keen to establish whether they will have any influence on negotiations between triggering Article 50 and voting on the deal, with former shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper pressing for a vote on membership of the Customs Union.
Mr Davis stated that MPs will get “many, many, many” opportunities to vote on Brexit-related policy, including areas like the Customs Union which determines import tariffs for EU member states. But he warned Parliament not to use legislation “to thwart the will of the people or to frustrate or delay the process of our exit from the European Union”.
“The Prime Minister has already set out a comprehensive plan, including our core negotiating objectives. She has been clear that we want a new, positive and constructive partnership [with] the EU,” he said. “It will be up to this Parliament to respect the decision that it entrusted to the people of the United Kingdom.”
While many MPs welcomed the Supreme Court ruling, the Morley and Outwood MP and Brexit select committee member Andrea Jenkyns expressed “disappointment” at what she saw as an attempt to “circumnavigate” the British people. However, she told this paper she is “confident Parliament will uphold the referendum result and vote to trigger Article 50 before the end of March”.
Meanwhile a number of Labour MPs sought to end speculation about the party’s stance on Article 50, with Jon Trickett, Michael Dugher, Dan Jarvis, Karl Turner, Ms Cooper and Mrs Johnson among those reaffirming their commitment to deliver on the referendum result.
I am confident Parliament will uphold the referendum result Morley and Outwood MP and Brexit select committee member Andrea Jenkyns