UK Govt Must Get Parliament Nod For Brexit Supreme Court

British prime minister’s sudden move to call snap polls is likely to overcome differences and end uncertainties.

- Sanjeev Sirohi

The Supreme Court of United Kingdom (UK) very expressly and eloquently ruled on 24 January 2017 that British Prime Minister Theresa May must give Parliament a vote before she can formally start Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU). It held that, “Parliament must vote on whether the government can start the Brexit process.”

This gave lawmakers, who oppose her Brexit plans, a shot at amending them. No doubt, this landmark judgment clearly implies that PM Theresa May cannot begin talks with the EU until MPs and peers give their unstinted backing – although this is expected to happen in time for the government’s 31 March deadline.

Uncertainty Involved

It must be informed here that the British government’s plans to commence the process of leaving the European Union speedily this spring met with uncertainty following the Supreme Court’s ruling that the UK could not trigger Article 50 – the EU article that sets out how a country can leave the Union – without a parliamentary vote.

It upheld the verdict of the High Court last year. However, the top court ruled that the government would not have to consult the developed legislatures in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

It must also be informed here thatthe government, which has accepted the landmark verdict with all humility, has said it plans to stick to the existing timetable to trigger Article 50 by the end of March. Brexit Secretary David Davis told the House of Commons legislation would be introduced in a matter of days, to give the government the legal power to commence negotiations.

He said during a lively sessionin Parliament that, “This will be the most straightforward bill possible. It was right that Parliament scrutinises and debates, but it should not “thwart” the “will of the people” or disrupt the government’s timetable.”