ADVERTISEMENT

British government to lay out strategy

MPs on Wednesday approved the first stage of a bill for triggering Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty.

Brexit minister David Davis said Britain will make no attempt to remain in the EU by the backdoor

The so-called "white paper" will outline Britain's negotiating aims as May prepares to officially begin the process of divorce from the European Union following last year's historic referendum vote.

In an emotional parliamentary session, MPs on Wednesday approved the first stage of a bill for triggering Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, which would fire the starting gun on two years of exit negotiations.

Many pro-EU MPs voiced their anguish at voting against their own deeply-held beliefs to pass the bill, which is expected to receive final approval by the House of Lords next month.

ADVERTISEMENT

One MP was heard shouting "Suicide!" as the result of the vote was announced in the chamber.

Pro-Brexit newspapers lauded the result, though others Thursday warned of growing discontent in May's centre-right Conservative Party.

"We have lift-off!" said the Daily Mail, hailing a "momentous day for Britain" after the "crushing majority" vote to start Brexit on its front page.

It featured an image of wartime leader Winston Churchill, and said the 114 lawmakers who voted against the bill had betrayed "the will of the people".

But The Times said May was facing a revolt from backbench Conservatives unless she guarantees the right of more than three million EU citizens living in Britain to stay.

ADVERTISEMENT

The premier wants the reciprocal rights of Britons in Europe guaranteed.

On January 17, May outlined a 12-point exit strategy, saying Britain would pull out of the single market in order to control immigration from the EU, which ran at 284,000 in the year to June 2016.

She revealed Britain would look to strike a new customs agreement with Brussels, enabling it to forge its own trade deals with the rest of the world.

And she warned Britain would feel free to set competitive tax rates if it cannot strike a free trade deal with the EU.

'Reckless Brexit'

ADVERTISEMENT

On Wednesday, MPs voted by a margin of 498 to 114 in the first Brexit-related vote in parliament's lower House of Commons.

Scottish nationalists and rebels from the main opposition Labour Party made up the bulk of the 114.

It came after more than 17 hours of debate, with a second and final vote in the lower house set for next week.

The government had sought to exclude parliament, insisting it had the power to trigger Article 50 on its own, but Britain's Supreme Court last week ruled it must consult lawmakers.

May is under intense pressure to push the bill through quickly, having pledged to trigger Article 50 by the end of March.

ADVERTISEMENT

Dozens of amendments are scheduled for debate over three days in the House of Commons which begins on Monday.

The bill will then move to the upper House of Lords for debate from February 20, with the government hoping for their approval by March 7.

But the bill could be delayed in the Lords, where the Conservatives do not have a majority -- and where the unelected peers have no fear of a voter backlash.

Most MPs campaigned to stay in the EU ahead of last June's referendum, but many have decided to accept the result, however reluctantly.

The Guardian newspaper said it was a "scandal" that Remain-backing Conservative MPs voted for the bill, bar former finance minister Ken Clarke.

ADVERTISEMENT

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn ordered his MPs not block the bill, but 47 rebelled, including leading members of the party who quit his shadow cabinet team in order to vote against the bill.

"We will not oppose Article 50 going through," said Labour finance spokesman John McDonnell.

"The real battle comes after Article 50 when the government then has to start coming back with the details of those negotiations.

"We'll be making sure we work with other political parties to prevent Theresa May's reckless Brexit."

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

INEC to publish credentials of 17 Edo governorship candidates on Saturday

INEC to publish credentials of 17 Edo governorship candidates on Saturday

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Labour Party offers Peter Obi 2027 presidential ticket unopposed

Labour Party offers Peter Obi 2027 presidential ticket unopposed

Allow us build seaports, railways to develop the South-East - Ohanaeze tells FG

Allow us build seaports, railways to develop the South-East - Ohanaeze tells FG

UCH Ibadan workers are tired of working in darkness as power outage persists

UCH Ibadan workers are tired of working in darkness as power outage persists

Armed robbery suspect who killed police officer begs govt to have mercy on him

Armed robbery suspect who killed police officer begs govt to have mercy on him

Tinubu enlists Dangote, Elumelu, Rabiu, others in Economic Coordination Council

Tinubu enlists Dangote, Elumelu, Rabiu, others in Economic Coordination Council

Sanwo-Olu doesn't want you to blame govt for current hardship in the country

Sanwo-Olu doesn't want you to blame govt for current hardship in the country

Okuama: Slain officers left behind 3 pregnant widows, 21 orphans – Lagbaja

Okuama: Slain officers left behind 3 pregnant widows, 21 orphans – Lagbaja

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT