Last week, the Government introduced the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill. This bill asks Parliament to confer upon the Prime Minister to power to notify the EU of our intention to leave the EU. This follows the decision by the Supreme Court last month that Parliament would have to vote on triggering Article 50.
The Government fully respects the Supreme Court’s decision, even if it was not the outcome for which it argued. The independence of our judiciary is the foundation upon which our rule of law is built, so I am pleased to see the Government putting this bill before the House of Commons, promptly following the Court’s decision.
The Supreme Court’s verdict does not change the fact that we will be leaving the EU. That decision was made on June 23rd last year by the British people. The Government has committed to triggering Article 50 no later than March 31st, and it will still do so, fulfilling all legal obligations in the process. As well as offering valuable certainty for citizens and businesses in both the UK and Europe, this timetable provides sufficient time for both Houses of Parliament to debate and scrutinise the bill. Once Article 50 has been triggered, the process of exiting the European Union will begin.
The Government is committed to securing a deal that is in the best interests of the whole United Kingdom. During the negotiation process, Parliament will continue to play a central role. In due course, the Government will publish a White Paper, setting out the plan for exiting, while Government time in Parliament has been allocated to debating issues arising from Brexit.
Furthermore, a new Committee on Exiting the European Union has been set up. This committee, consisting of 21 cross-party Members of Parliament, will scrutinise the Department for Exiting the European Union’s activities. Once the negotiation is complete, the Prime Minister has confirmed that Parliament will vote on the final agreement, before it comes into force.
The British people voted to leave the European Union last year, and it is important that the Government delivers on this decision. Parliament will have considerable opportunity to scrutinise the process of leaving the EU, as the Government works to secure the best deal possible.