Article 50 Bill introduced to Commons

David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, has introduced the ‘straightforward’ European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill to the House of Commons.

The government expects the Bill to move through both the House of Commons and House of Lords before gaining Royal Assent prior to the March 31st deadline, after the Supreme Court has ruled that Parliament must vote on whether the government can trigger Article 50.

Despite Davis saying that the Bill is ‘straightforward’, the Liberal Democrats have vowed to oppose Article 50 unless there is a guarantee of another referendum on the final Brexit deal that is agreed with Brussels, while the Scottish National Party has vowed to table 50 amendments to the legislation.

Davis said: “The British people have made the decision to leave the EU and this government is determined to get on with the job of delivering it. We have introduced a Bill in Parliament which will allow us to formally trigger Article 50 by the end of March. I trust that Parliament, which backed the referendum by six to one, will respect the decision taken by the British people and pass the legislation quickly.”