COURT: MPs MUST WEIGH IN TO INVOKE “BREXIT” VOTE
by Sharon Rondeau
(Nov. 6, 2016) — As The Post & Email reported on Friday, a referendum vote held on June 23 in Great Britain on remaining in or leaving the European union has been challenged in court by a group of plaintiffs claiming that Parliament must vote to approve the “Brexit” outcome before it can be implemented.
A panel of three judges of the “Divisional Court” on Thursday opined that “This is a pure question of law” and not a political one. The court’s focus is on the sovereignty of Parliament in regard to any decision “to withdraw from the European Union.”
May, who represents “the government” in the case, plans to appeal the ruling to the UK Supreme Court on Monday, with a hearing reportedly scheduled for December 7.
Prior to the ruling, May had planned to invoke “Article 50” of the Lisbon Treaty applicable to countries which “voluntarily” joined the EU, by the end of March 2017. Founded in 1956, the UK joined the EU in 1973.
On the same day of the court ruling, Britain’s “Independent” reported that a majority of the members of the House of Commons favors the “Brexit” referendum to leave the EU. The other chamber in Parliament is the House of Lords, which the same report states favor remaining in the EU “and do not have to face voters.”
Debate on the matter is expected in the coming days and weeks, according to The Guardian.
The UK’s prime minister is commonly referred to as “No. 10,” meaning “10 Downing Street” in London where the PM’s official quarters is located.
As this article was going to press, the BBC reported that “Theresa May has insisted the government is ‘getting on’ with Brexit, following a High Court ruling that Parliament must vote on when the formal process of leaving the EU can get under way.”
An analysis of the Brexit referendum and Thursday’s ruling is provided here.