As the official deadline for leaving the E.U. approaches, Parliament seems determined to override the will of the people and sound the death knell of freedom. Each week, Liberty Nation shines a light on the dark rumblings in the British Isles that portend the betrayal of Brexit.
Last week was all about voting. As the Brexit deadline came and went without the will of the British people being enacted, a new deadline of April 12 fast approaches. During the two-week extension, parliamentarians have taken it upon themselves to pass as many votes as possible to shape Brexit. Sadly, they seem to be unable to pass a single measure.
Indicative Votes?
British Members of Parliament granted themselves the power to enact what is known as Indicative Votes in an effort to mold the type of Brexit that is delivered eventually. This entails MPs being allowed to propose any number of measures in the hope of getting a majority to signal the direction in which they should set their focus.
As of yet, not a single Indicative Vote has passed the House, leaving the British government in more disarray than before.
The Indicative Votes that will just keep on coming between now and April 12 apparently are designed to tie the U.K. to the E.U. Monday’s four votes included the options:
- A customs union with the E.U.
- A revamp of the Common Market policy.
- A confirmatory public vote (a.k.a. a second referendum).
- Parliamentary Supremacy (allowing MPs to scrap Brexit altogether).
None of these options allows actual Brexit to take place. Fortunately for Brexiteers, all votes were defeated.
PM’s Distress
Prime Minister Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement, which has been defeated three times already by the opposition and her own party, is threatening to rear its ugly head once more. Yet it might end up with even less support. As Conservative Member of Parliament Richard Drax stated in the House, “The Withdrawal Agreement should never, ever see the light of day again.” He went further, suggesting that it was time his own party leader stepped aside:
WATCH | Conservative MP Richard Drax's powerful apology for backing May's disastrous deal in full:
"I made the wrong call on Friday. I let down good friends in the DUP. The Withdrawal Agreement should never, ever see the light of day again." 👍 pic.twitter.com/XqCvgquwlM
— Leave.EU (@LeaveEUOfficial) April 1, 2019
The frustration among Leave-voting MPs is almost palpable. As Speaker of the House John Bercow continues to accept votes on the floor that favor only the Remain side of the debate, the deputy leader of the European Research Group (ERG, a Conservative policy think tank), MP Steve Baker, has come to the conclusion that the only answer is to dissolve Parliament.
Baker stated, “Only one option remains with Brexit – prorogue Parliament and allow us out of the E.U. with no deal.”
Has Brexit Already Happened?
An interesting angle on the Brexit debate is that, according to Robin Tilbrook, leader of the small English Democrats Party, Britain already has left the E.U.
A lawyer by trade, Tilbrook has filed proceedings stating that, under the law, Britain parted ways with the union on March 29 because the extension to April 12 was not an act of Parliament but rather an action of the PM.
Going Forward
There are four possibilities going forward this week:
- Britain leaves the E.U. under World Trade Organization terms (a so-called “No Deal” Brexit).
- May asks for a further extension (which means Britain would have to partake in the European Elections in June).
- MPs pass a vote for a second referendum.
- May calls for a General Election.
No matter which option wins, this is likely to be a tumultuous time for all parties concerned.
