It is clear
than many MPs – including not a few on the Tory benches – are more than a
little restless about their role in agreeing the Brexit terms and process. And given the High Court challenge over
whether the Government has the right to invoke Article 50 without the consent
of parliament, that restlessness isn’t limited to MPs. It was stated by the government lawyers
during that court hearing that the government’s position is that MPs are very
likely to have a vote about the final terms.
What’s a lot
less clear to me though is what MPs would actually be voting on, at either
stage. It’s true, as many have argued,
that a majority of the UK electorate has voted to depart this particular
station, but the electorate wasn’t given any opportunity to select the destination. Whilst people are reading the referendum
result as support for their own particular interpretation, the simplistic
nature of the question asked means that none of us can really be certain.
But the problem
with a parliamentary vote at the end of the negotiation process is that that,
too, is likely to end up being a binary choice, and not necessarily of the sort
that people are expecting.
I suspect that
it will not be a choice between Brexit on ‘these’ terms or no Brexit (with the
latter requiring, morally if not legally, a further referendum, and
therefore being dependent on a clear indication of a change in public opinion). That would be messy and politically
difficult, but would at least give an opportunity for a rethink in the cold
light of day with all the implications clear.
If people then chose to support it, no-one would be able to argue that
they hadn’t had the consequences spelled out to them.
But MPs are more likjely to be given a choice between Brexit on whatever terms the government has
negotiated by that point and Brexit by simply walking away with no deal of any
sort. MPs may find that the choice for
which they are lobbying so hard will turn out to be one of the Hobson’s
variety.
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1 comment:
I think you haven't quite thought matters through.
By the time MP's are allowed any kind of vote on the terms of BREXIT the UK will have already confirmed it is leaving the EU. To remain within the EU, albeit on modified terms, we will need to apply afresh for membership and consent to join the Euro currency (which, to my mind, doesn't seem like a bad idea at the moment). Norwegian or Swiss models are currently unaffordable and unlikely to be on offer in any acceptable form.
As for 'destination' I don't remember anyone spelling out a destination for REMAIN. Indeed, how could they, there are 27 other member states to consult on any proposed 'destination'. At least with BREXIT we can make a mess of it all on our own, time and time again.
Our only chance is for Scotland to go it alone and Wales to follow suit. But I doubt the electorate will swallow such a 'leap in the dark'.
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