UK Prime Minister Theresa May has under two weeks to rescue the Brexit negotiations. Last weekend, Sir Keir Starmer QC MP, Labour’s Brexit spokesman and Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, hinted at the possibility of his party voting a no-confidence move if May doesn’t move forward the Brexit talks to trade and transition.
Along with Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Exiting the European Union and International Trade Tom Brake MP, Sir Keir Starmer is now to give evidence to the House of Lords Constitution Committee as part of its legislative scrutiny of the EU (Withdrawal) Bill.
The Constitution Committee has already raised its concerns with the Bill in particular the lack of legal certainty, excessive powers granted to Ministers and the need for meaningful scrutiny by Parliament.
The evidence session will start at 10:15am on Wednesday 29th November in Committee Room 1 of the House of Lords. Tom Brake will speak at 10.30am, and Sir Keir Starmer MP will speak at 11.10am.
Questions will focus on legal certainty, supremacy, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and devolution. Questions are likely to include:
- What is your assessment of the Government’s intention to stipulate the date of “exit day” in the Bill?
- Do you consider that the EU (Withdrawal) Bill adequately caters for the possibility of a transitional period, or would further legislation be required?
- What concerns do you have about the delegated powers in the Bill?
- Do you agree with Lord Neuberger that further guidance for UK courts in relation to CJEU judgments is needed?
- Does getting rid of the Charter of Fundamental Rights but retaining the underlying fundamental rights and principles mean that we lose nothing in practice?
What do you consider to be the implications of the Bill for the balance of power within the Union and the future of the devolution settlements?
(Source: The House of Lords)
