UK govt remains determined to trigger ‘Brexit,’ after Supreme Court ruling

The UK government remains determined to move forward with a “Brexit” from the EU even after a Supreme Court ruling required that Parliament must authorize such a move first. 

The government of United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Theresa May expressed a sense of determination in successfully implementing a “Brexit,” a UK withdrawal from the European Union, after the UK Supreme Court ruled that a secession from the EU could only be authorized by Parliament.

“We respect the supreme court’s decision, and will set out our next steps to parliament shortly,” a government spokesman said. “It’s important to remember that parliament backed the (Brexit) referendum by a margin of six to one and has already indicated its support for getting on with the process of exit to the timetable we have set out.”

The UK electorate voted by a majority in favor of Brexit during a referendum in June of 2016. Brexit Secretary David Davis emphasized a similar level of assurance that a Brexit would still take place.

“This does not change the fact that the UK will be leaving the European Union,” Davis insisted, adding that the “point of no return” for Brexit has already been crossed.

At the initiative of May’s government, Davis is expected, within a timeframe of several days, to introduce legislation in the Parliament that would trigger Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty. Article 50 deals with the process of a member state’s withdrawal from the EU.

“This will be the most straightforward bill possible, to give effect to the decision of the people and respect the supreme court’s judgment,” explained Davis.

According to the shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer, the government will not be facing stiff opposition from the Labour party in getting the Parliament to formally endorse the results of the referendum on Brexit.

“Labour accepts and respects the referendum result and will not frustrate the process,” stressed Starmer. “But we will be seeking to lay amendments to ensure proper scrutiny and accountability throughout the process. That starts with a white paper or plan.”

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn had expressed a desire for Parliament to remain in the loop during Brexit negotiations with the EU once Article 50 is triggered.

“Labour is demanding a plan from the government to ensure it is accountable to Parliament throughout the negotiations and a meaningful vote to ensure the final deal is given parliamentary approval,” Corbyn said.

Under Article 50, an EU member-state’s withdrawal process could take as long as two years from the moment of informing the political union of its intentions to leave.

By: Jonathan Benedek, World Israel News