The UK Supreme Court has decided that parliament must decide if the government can start the Brexit process. The ruling also stated that the “Scottish Parliament and Welsh and Northern Ireland assemblies did not need a say.”
Prime Minister Theresa may cannot begin talks with European Union (EU) leaders until parliament votes. May would like to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, the part that allows a country to leave the EU, by the end of March.
The BBC reported that campaigners told the court that not allowing parliament to vote “was undemocratic and a breach of long-standing constitutional principles.” Since invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty means “overturning existing UK law,” the campaigners insisted parliament “and peers should decide.”
The court agreed:
Reading out the judgement, Supreme Court President Lord Neuberger said: “By a majority of eight to three, the Supreme Court today rules that the government cannot trigger Article 50 without an act of Parliament authorising it to do so.”He added: “Withdrawal effects a fundamental change by cutting off the source of EU law, as well as changing legal rights.”The UK’s constitutional arrangements require such changes to be clearly authorised by Parliament.”
Attorney General Jeremy Wright expressed “disappointment,” but promised May’s team “would comply” with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Brexit Secretary David Davis said the ruling will not delay Brexit from happening:
Outlining plans to bring in a “straightforward” parliamentary bill on Article 50, Mr Davis told MPs he was “determined” Brexit would go ahead as voted for in last June’s EU membership referendum.He added: “It’s not about whether the UK should leave the European Union. That decision has already been made by people in the United Kingdom.””There can be no turning back,” he said. “The point of no return was passed on 23 June last year.”
A lot of parliament members wanted to stay in the EU, but their constituents voted otherwise last June. The whole world thought citizens of the UK would vote to stay in the EU. It looked that way in the beginning, but as the night progressed things took a turn and leave blew stay out of the water.
Here is the supreme court’s decision:
UK Supreme Court BREXIT Decision by Legal Insurrection on Scribd
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