The European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill has just been published.
The main part of the Bill runs to just one section and two short subsections:
1 Power to notify withdrawal from the EU (1)The Prime Minister may notify, under Article 50(2) of the Treaty on European Union, the United Kingdom’s intention to withdraw from the EU. (2)This section has effect despite any provision made by or under the European Communities Act 1972 or any other enactment.
1 Power to notify withdrawal from the EU
(1)The Prime Minister may notify, under Article 50(2) of the Treaty on European Union, the United Kingdom’s intention to withdraw from the EU.
(2)This section has effect despite any provision made by or under the European Communities Act 1972 or any other enactment.
MPs will debate this Bill next week, starting on 31st January 2017.
Yesterday’s U-turn by Prime Minister Theresa May over the publishing of a White Paper setting out her plan for leaving the EU is very welcome, but there are no signs that it will be published in time for the Second Reading.
David Davis MP, after referendum
This means that MPs will be discussing the notification of withdrawal from the EU entirely in the dark, with no knowledge of what May’s plans are, what her strategy is or where we might end up in our relationship with the EU, with other countries or the costs to us as a nation, our society or to us as individuals.
The undue haste with which the Government is pushing this through does not sit well with the making of one of the most momentous decisions Parliament will have to make.
We are still heading for that cliff edge, driven by Theresa May, with her foot to the floor at a time when we need to step back from the brink.
This is not good for democracy or for the sovereignty of Parliament.
Please let your MP know that passing this Bill without knowing what lies before us is not acceptable. Write to your MP today, before next week’s Second Reading.
