Sunday, January 29, 2017

Brexit - The Supreme Court Decision

The Supreme Court decided by a decisive majority last week,  that Parliament should  have the initial say at least, in triggering article 50 for the UK to leave the European Union.

The unwritten constitution of the UK has served the country well for centuries and although after WWII when Japan considered adopting the British constitution - see wikipedia: Japanese Post WWII Constitution  - a reason for  not then proceeding down the UK's direction, was lack of certainty arising from the UK's constitution's unwritten nature.


The involvement of the Supreme Court has been interesting especially as the main legal arguments in question were initiated by two individuals and not some huge corporation or political party.

The Court having by a majority decided in effect, that the constitutional  position is that parliament must consent, also decided that subject to that  UK parliamentary involvement, there are no separate rights for the UK provinces, namely Wales Scotland or Northern Ireland to have  their own substantive involvements.

Despite the irritation expressed by Brexiteers and newspapers like the Daily Mail with the outcome, the Supreme Court imho has done the country proud in maintaining its impartiality over one of the most important and emotive issues to have come before it for a generation or more.

The UK government has knuckled under and appears now to be acting in compliance with the Supreme Court's verdict. 

Sadly though the Labour Party which in many respects should I felt, have been  arguing forcefully  for the UK to remain, is now almost falling apart by quarreling amongst its own members. 

The  Labour Party  sadly is in my humble opinion,  now at risk of becoming an irrelevance.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Tate Britain - Turner Prize Exhibition

Younger brother suggested yesterday a spontaneous visit to the Tate Britain to see the Turner Prize Exhibition. Having seen this exhibition ...