Parliament's role
The Committee says that the referendum result was clear, and that Parliament is responsible for ensuring the Government implements that result and takes forward Brexit negotiations in a way that achieves the best possible outcome for the UK as a whole. Parliament and the Government will need to work together with a mutual respect for each party's constitutional role—and that starts with the Parliamentary involvement and assent for the invoking of Article 50.
The report points out that although the EU referendum was, in legal terms, advisory, it was accompanied by a clear undertaking by the Government, based on a manifesto commitment, to implement the decision reached in the referendum. In the UK's representative democracy, it should be Parliament which takes the decision to act following the referendum.
The Committee therefore states that Parliament should:
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play a central role in the decision to trigger Article 50
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have a key role scrutinising both the Brexit negotiations and in approving the final deal between the UK and EU.
Triggering Article 50
In considering Article 50, the Committee conclude that it is unclear whether Article 50, once triggered, could be unilaterally reversed by the UK.
The report therefore states that Parliament should:
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act on the assumption that triggering Article 50 would be irreversible, and that Article 50 should be triggered "only when it is in the UK's best interests to begin the formal two-year negotiation process".
Chairman's comments
Commenting Lord Lang of Monkton, Chairman of the Committee, said:
"The referendum result was clear and it is right that the Government are preparing to take Britain out of the EU. However, our constitution is built on the principle of parliamentary sovereignty and the decision to act following the referendum should be taken by Parliament. [...]
"Parliament's assent could be sought by means of legislation or through resolutions tabled in both Houses of Parliament. An Act of Parliament would give greater legal certainty and could be used to enshrine the "constitutional requirements" required by Article 50, allowing for the setting of advantageous pre-conditions regarding the exit negotiations to be met before Article 50 could be triggered. A resolution could be simpler and quicker to secure but might not provide the same watertight legal authority. We consider that either would be a constitutionally acceptable means of securing parliamentary approval for the triggering of Article 50. [..]
Report: The invoking of Article 50
Full press release
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