Commons now discussing what would happen if Parliament rejected the Withdrawal deal negotiated by the PM with EU...
Grieve: chose this amendment not to sabotage Brexit but restrain executive powers exercised by the Government
Just going to go back over points made in debate...
Clarke: “we must have a meaningful vote... “
Bill Cash: “The amendment is defective and would not work... a meaningless vote about the meaningful vote”
Clarke: “we must have a meaningful vote... “
Bill Cash: “The amendment is defective and would not work... a meaningless vote about the meaningful vote”
Clarke says the vote on 1972 Act taking us in was a binding vote on a specific agreement, subject to negotiation “present situation is a sad contrast, coming at a time with utmost confusion about whatever destination we’re going to”
Ken Clarke: “Binding commitments on future generations changing our law in substantial ways can only be made with the proper approval of both Houses of Parliament following the full procedures that are necessary for statutory law”
Shadow Brexit minister Pennycook says there is a period after October 2018 or earlier if a deal done earlier - where Parliament could oblige Government to return to negotiating table
NB: Quite literally last week, the concerns of 10 DUP MPs obliged the Government to return to the negotiating table to alter an agreed draft deal...
Grieve said: “This amendment has to be accepted by my honourable friends on the Treasury bench or it will be put the vote”...
“Yeah yeah yeah” chants one MP
“Well done” another says
“Yeah yeah yeah” chants one MP
“Well done” another says
Shadow Brexit minister Pennycook: “Is Parliament a spectator, a passive observer into one of the most important decisions that has faced our country in generations? - Parliament must have a grip on the process”
Grieve: “I v much regret that in the case of Amendment7 we seem to have run out of road... all rational discourse seems to evaporate amid accusations of sabotage of the will of the people... large numbers of people telling one that one is a traitor”
Grieve: IDS says “I’m grandstanding, when I dont remember ever having suggested that to him on his views in Europe, including when I tries to be a loyal member of his team when he was leader of the party”.
Grieve: “the Parliamentary process is not just about the imposition of the will of the majority over the minority, it is the process by which we gain consent for what the majority chooses it to do”
Grieve: “we run risk of losing sight that 48% of electorate did not wish for this policy, and have deep concerns about the impact on wellbeing, and a request to pay attention about what they are saying”
Grieve: Atmosphere unpleasant and Government has lost a series of opportunities to deal with the issue at hand
