TODAY is a big day for the House of Lords and the future direction of Brexit. Peers are used to playing second fiddle to MPs in the Commons, but over the next two days it is they who will be in the driving seat as they debate and amend the EU Withdrawal Bill.
The debate couldn’t have come at a more sensitive time for the Prime Minister, of course, as her authority continues to wane in the wake of that disastrous cabinet reshuffle two weeks ago.
And since all the signs are that the Lords are prepared to go as far as they can to amend the Bill – there is a clear majority among peers for Remain – this creates yet another big headache for Theresa May.
If yesterday’s contribution from the Lords Constitutional Committee is anything to go by, that headache is likely to be very painful indeed. The Committee described the Bill as “fundamentally flawed” and “constitutionally unacceptable”, pouncing on the fact it is entirely dependent on the outcome of negotiations that are yet to take place.
Mrs May has promised to steer the Withdrawal Bill through parliament and deliver Brexit by March 29 1019, but even slight amendments would put this in serious jeopardy; the scale of the changes sought by the Lords is likely to be far more significant.
Peers are entirely correct, however, to point out the flaws in the Bill, and right to demand changes. Areas of criticism include the so-called Henry VIII powers, which would grant ministers authority to amend regulations without full parliamentary scrutiny.
Lords are also rightly concerned that the failure to secure agreement from Holyrood and the Welsh Assembly over the devolution of powers returned from Brussels will have “significant constitutional repercussions”. As it stands, of course, Scottish ministers are at loggerheads with the UK Government on the matter and refuse to put the Bill forward for a vote.
But with the Tories seemingly on the brink of a full-scale civil war, it is difficult to see how Mrs May can possibly deal with such serious Lords dissent.
Yesterday, the embattled premier came under renewed pressure from all wings of her fractured, increasingly vitriolic party, as a string of Conservative MPs voiced concerns about her stewardship following a raft of criticisms around lack of vision and the direction of Brexit. Johnny Mercer appeared to speak for many in his party when he said the “window is closing” for the PM to “meet the challenges of leadership”.
At the weekend, meanwhile, reports surfaced that around 40 MPs have written to the party’s 1922 Committee demanding a change in leader – 48 would be enough to trigger a contest.
To say the last few months have been turbulent for Mrs May is an understatement, and she has continued to surprise many by remaining in post at all following her disastrous decision to call a General Election last May.
But as she continues to show poor decision-making while being undermined and humiliated by her members own cabinet, it is becoming increasingly clear that something will have to give.
Indeed, the current behaviour of the Conservative party, this selfish and increasingly brutal washing of dirty laundry in public, shows a disdain and disrespect for the electorate that is bordering on disgraceful.
The country is crying out for direction and leadership: clarity on Brexit, an ambitious vision to tackle the economic and social issues that continue to make life feel like an uphill struggle for so many families and businesses.
With this in mind, it’s time for the Tories to stop their bickering and put country before party. Until then, the stagnation continues to damage us all.
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