Thread by @lewis_goodall

THREAD: I’m sorry but I don’t understand how the govt can possibly (legally) separate WA from the political declaration.

under the terms of S13 of the EU Withdrawal Act 2018, there are four requirements which must be met including...

“the negotiated Withdrawal Agreement and the framework for the future relationship have been approved by a resolution of the House of Commons on a motion moved by a minister of the Crown”.

A motion. Not 2 motions. If they bring WA back tomorrow it’ll be a vote. But not the MV.

So in terms of solving govt’s problems:

Clearly this would comply with the Speaker’s ruling. ✔️

The govt says the EU only needs WA to pass to leave by May 22nd. ✔️

But it doesn’t comply with govt’s own legislation with regards to an orderly Brexit process. With UK law. ❌

So if they’re going to do this they need to find some way of amending the 2018 withdrawal act. Given the numbers in Parliament that looks dicey. ❌

They risk making legal situation v murky, initiating an int legal process with EU whilst domestic legal position is unchanged. ❌

And politically I’m not sure this helps them with the numbers. They need Labour MPs and Labour MPs’ biggest concern is of authorising a “blind Brexit” especially with an ERG premiership on the way.

Why would they permit a Brexit which would be even blinder? ❌

To be honest then this just risks making a confused and uncertain situation even worse. It smacks of desperation.

*END THREAD*