Brexit has dominated discussion in Parliament since before the election. At the moment Parliament is debating what the Government has called its European Union (Withdrawal) Bill. Ministers say the main purpose of the Bill is to sort out how EU law can be incorporated into the UK at the point of us leaving the EU in order to make sure gaps are not left in people’s rights and protections.
As it stands, however, this Bill is not fit for that purpose. The Bill would put huge and unaccountable power into the hands of government ministers – including the power to decide the key terms of our exit from the EU – it would sideline Parliament on major decisions and put crucial rights and protections at risk. You can watch my speech on why I could not support this Bill at its Second Reading here: http://richardburden.com/2017/09/my-speech-on-european-union-withdrawal-bill/
In the weeks and months ahead, Labour will continue to make sure the government hear our reasonable and constructive concerns to either make changes to the Bill or to replace it with a different one that is fit for purpose.
