Brexit Bill: Opposition, Scotland and Wales all want more time to have their say

Another day, another drama at Westminster yesterday. The Government attempted to bring forward a “yes” or “no” vote on its Brexit deal but was rebuffed by Speaker John Bercow (above), who said it would be “repetitive and disorderly” to debate it again.

The Government subsequently introduced its landmark Brexit bill, which will enshrine the new deal negotiated with the EU in UK law – if it is passed by MPs.

The Government will have another go again today. MPs will vote on whether to back the Withdrawal Agreement Bill – and if they do, they will then be asked to approve an tight three-day timetable in which to scrutinise the legislation

PM Johnson remains determined to meet his 31 October deadline, but opposition parties argue more time is needed to scrutinise such important legislation – and they are supported by both the Scottish Government and the Welsh Assembly.

A government statement issued yesterday said:

‘This deal abolishes the backstop in the old deal. The Government put forward a reasonable compromise, based on the key principles of consent for the people of Northern Ireland, and the UK leaving the EU Customs Union whole and entire, which was agreed at European Council last week. The EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill puts those internationally agreed obligations into domestic law.

‘This week MPs will have the chance to pass this bill, to respect the result of the referendum and to leave with a deal on October 31 in an orderly and friendly way. MPs voted overwhelmingly to trigger Article 50 in 2017 to start the process of leaving the EU and supporting this bill is the final stage to make that happen.

‘This will allow the country to move on and for the Government to return its focus to delivering on the people’s domestic priorities: investing in the NHS, tackling serious and violent crime, and levelling up funding on schools.

‘The bill will implement the new deal agreed with the EU in UK law:

• Delivering Brexit, with a deal, on October 31
• Ending vast annual payments to Brussels
• Protecting the integrity of the UK as we leave the EU, without the need for the backstop
• Protecting the rights of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens in UK law so that they can continue to live, study and work in the UK
• Securing an implementation period to give businesses continuity and greater certainty as they prepare for the change in relationship we will have with the EU.’

Brexit Secretary, Steve Barclay, said: “The Prime Minister has successfully negotiated a great new deal without the anti-democratic backstop which many said would be impossible.

“MPs and Peers today have in front of them a bill that will get Brexit done by October 31, protect jobs and the integrity of the UK, and enable us to move onto the people’s priorities like health, education and crime.

“This is the chance to leave the EU with a deal on October 31. If Parliament wants to respect the referendum, it must back the bill.”

IF …. 

Responding to the publication of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, Keir Starmer MP, Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary (above), said: “This is a Bill to implement Boris Johnson’s deeply flawed plan for Brexit.

“It is outrageous to deny Parliament the chance to scrutinise this incredibly important legislation properly. Ministers are trying to bounce MPs into signing off a Bill that could cause huge damage to our country. We can’t trust this Prime Minister.

“The truth is Boris Johnson knows that the more time people have to read the small print of his deal, the more it will be exposed for the risks it represents to our economy and communities across the country.”

You can make up your own mind: the full content of the 115 page bill can be found below:

withdrawal agreement bill

Meanwhile, the Leaders of the Scottish and Welsh governments have written joint letters to the Prime Minister and the European Council President urging them to agree more time for scrutiny of the proposed Brexit Bill.

The UK Government is required to seek legislative consent for its Withdrawal Agreement Bill from both the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales.

The letter to the Prime Minister urges the UK Government to secure an extension to the Article 50 process from the European Council which provides sufficient time for both legislatures to carry out their ‘proper constitutional and democratic functions’.

The First Ministers have also written to the President of the European Council informing him of the requirement on the UK Government to secure the consent of the Scottish and Welsh legislatures. In addition, the First Ministers express their support for an extension long enough to enable a referendum to be held – with the option of remaining in the European Union on the ballot paper.

The letter to the Prime Minister states:

“This Bill will be among the most important pieces of legislation ever considered by the UK Parliament, the Scottish Parliament and National Assembly for Wales, with far-reaching implications for the whole of the United Kingdom and our future well-being.

“Both our governments believe the deal you have negotiated with the EU will be even more damaging to Wales, Scotland and the United Kingdom than the previous unacceptable agreement made by your predecessor. 

“It is essential that your government respects devolution, the legislative consent process and any decisions on consent that the Scottish Parliament and National Assembly may reach.”   

Joint FMs letter – Scotland & Wales – to President Donald Tusk

Joint FMs – Scotland & Wales – letter to the PM