| Author (Person) | Asthana, Anushka, O'Carroll, Lisa |
|---|---|
| Series Title | The Guardian |
| Series Details | 02.03.17 |
| Publication Date | 14/03/2017 |
| Content Type | News |
|
The European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill was intended to confer power on the United Kingdom Prime Minister to notify, under Article 50(2) of the Treaty on European Union, the United Kingdom’s intention to withdraw from the EU. The bill passed the last stage of its House of Commons examination on the 8 February 2017 in the United Kingdom. The government secured this stage without conceding to any of the amendments proposed by MPs, which commentators noted had been a significant victory for the government. The bill then formally had its 1st reading in the House of Lords on the 8 February 2017. The more detailed 2nd Reading debate took place on the 20 February 2017. The line by line examination of the bill at Committee Stage in the House of Lords took place with two days of debate and votes on the 27 February and 1 March 2017. Members discussed the rights of EU and EEA citizens resident in the UK, the effect of EU withdrawal on environmental regulation and the involvement of devolved administrations in withdrawal negotiations. Peers in the House of Lords voted on an amendment on the 1 March 2017 by 358 to 256 in favour of amending the Brexit bill to guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in the UK within three months of article 50 being triggered (the second largest House of Lords vote on record). Members also discussed the effect of EU withdrawal on environmental law. This was the first defeat by the UK Government on the bill. However, commentators noted that it was likely the House of Commons would subsequently overturn the House of Lords amendment. The House of Lords continued its examination of the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill on 7 March 2017 in report stage and third reading. Members discussed a national referendum to approve an agreement with the EU and regular progress updates to Parliament throughout the negotiations. They also discussed the right of Northern Irish people to claim Irish citizenship. There were two divisions (votes) on proposed changes (amendments) to the draft law. The first vote was on a change to require a national referendum to approve an agreement with the EU. 131 members voted in favour and 336 voted against, so the change was not made. The second vote was on a change requiring parliamentary approval for the outcome of negotiations with the EU. 366 members voted in favour and 268 voted against, so the change was made. The second vote was the largest vote in the House of Lords on record, with a turnout of 634 members. The bill would now return to the House of Commons, where the government was expected to seek to overturn the two amendments adopted by the House of Lords. The former Conservative Deputy Prime Minister Lord Michael Heseltine, and a strong supported of the UK remaining in the EU, was sacked on the 7 March 2017 from his role as a government adviser after rebelling on Brexit in the House of Lords votes. On the 13 March 2017 MPs considered the Lords Amendments to the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill, with the Government recommending rejection. The amendments were rejected and the bill returned immediately to the Lords for final consideration. The Lords conceded the amendments. The EU (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill thus completed its journey through the Houses of Parliament on the 13 March 2017. The Royal Assent was given on the 16 March 2017 to the Article 50 Bill, giving the government the formal power to trigger Article 50. The UK Government could now formerly trigger the Article 50 process. Some had expected this to be as early as the 14 March 2017. However, the announcement on the 13 March 2017 by Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that Scotland would seek a second referendum on independence once the terms of Brexit were known, complicated matters and the Article 50 triggering process was delayed to a later date in March 2017. |
|
| Source Link | Link to Main Source https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/01/lords-defeat-government-over-rights-of-eu-citizens-in-uk-brexit-bill |
| Related Links |
|
| Countries / Regions | United Kingdom |
